Serious youth violence, including violence involving gangs, guns or knives, continues to have profound effects on young people, their families, and their communities. Despite national efforts to address the issue, many young people still feel unsafe in their daily lives.
Most existing research is based on adults’ views about safety. This study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Three Schools Prevention programme, shifts the focus to young people themselves: how they feel about safety, what affects those feelings, and what kinds of support they need from adults such as teachers, youth workers, police and health professionals.
What the study will do
Working with community organisations in London and Bristol, the research team will recruit and train young people as peer researchers. These young people will play a key role in shaping the study, helping to design activities, plan sessions, and co-facilitate workshops.
Participants at risk of serious youth violence will use Photovoice, a creative method where young people take photographs that reflect what makes them feel safe or unsafe in public spaces. Visual images can express experiences that are difficult to capture in words.
Across four workshops, young people will:
- Plan a route to take photos in their community
- Take photos of their community during a walk-around with peer researchers and the research team
- Discuss what the photos mean to them and suggest changes that could make public spaces safer
- Work with professionals in a collaborative session to refine ideas and develop practical recommendations
Sharing insights with decision-makers
The project will work with peer researchers and professionals to develop clear recommendations for change. Young people will be supported to present these ideas to local decision-makers.
A public photo exhibition will be held in each research area, giving young people a platform to directly influence those who can improve safety and support.
After the study concludes, the team will seek additional funding to test whether the recommended changes help young people feel safer, enhance support from trusted adults, and reduce serious youth violence.
Dr Harri Fisher, Research Fellow at Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, said: “All young people should be able to feel safe in public spaces. By working closely with young people, peer researchers, and community organisations throughout this project, we hope to move towards real change for young people.”
Dr Michael Whelan, Senior Lecturer in Education at University of the West of England, added: “Young people should have a place in public space. If we accept that, we have a responsibility to ask how streets, parks and city centres can feel safer - and actually be safer - for young people.”
Dr Matthew Booker, GP and Associate Professor in Urgent Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol and a member of the research team, explained: “It is really important that health professionals know how to have conversations with young people about what makes them feel safe in their communities, and ways in which we can work with them to reduce the risks of harm."
For more information about the project, contact: Harriet.Fisher@bristol.ac.uk or Michael.Whelan@uwe.ac.uk