Being young shouldn't be this dangerous. Together, we're organising for the safety we deserve.
The Lambeth Peer Action Collective (LPAC) are a collective of young people and youth organisations working to create a future free from violence in Lambeth.
Funded in part by the Youth Endowment Fund, LPAC is led by High Trees Community Development Trust and supported by a partnership of eight youth organisations based in Lambeth — Juvenis, Spiral Skills, IRMO, MLCE, St Matthews Project, Grove Adventure Playground and The Baytree Centre. The vision of LPAC is to:
1. Identify the root causes of violence through peer research with other young people.
2. Empower other young people to form campaigns addressing these causes
3. Work with stakeholders to recommend improvements that we think will reduce violence.
Amplifying Youth Voices
Our shared objective? To amplify the voices of the young and foster a future where they have an active say in the change they want to see in their neighbourhoods. At the heart of this initiative was the recruitment, training, and support of 12 Peer Researchers aged 16 to 20. Their task: to engage with a diverse spectrum of 480 young people aged 10 to 16 across Lambeth. LPAC conducted a research report between December 2021 - August 2022 in an attempt to understand young people’s experiences of violence in Lambeth.
Key Findings from the Research Report
For many young people, violence is seen as an inevitable, routine and normal part of their lives.
Safe, affordable and youth-friendly neighbourhoods are important places for young people to find connection, opportunities and belonging.
Poor housing conditions make young people feel unsafe.
Many young people feel they cannot rely on public services and are cut off from important opportunities.
There is a mental and emotional burden young people carry to keep safe and avoid potential harm.
Many young people feel they don’t have control over their lives and futures.
Research for Impact
These findings shed light on an important narrative that illuminates Lambeth's youth's realities, aspirations, and concerns. This narrative will serve as a guiding light for partner organisations and stakeholders, merging their service delivery and policy decisions with the authenticity that can only arise from truly listening to the voices of those who made their concerns known.
Cultivating Gamechangers
We aim to empower 150 of these young individuals to become Gamechangers – advocates for social action on issues close to their hearts. The key themes extracted from the research will guide these champions as they devise strategies to tackle challenges head-on.
Through a seamless blend of empowerment and support, the Gamechangers will be encouraged to step up and make a tangible difference. They'll be given the opportunity to apply to the Coop Action Fund, a crucial step that will enable them to bring their visions of change to life. As these projects take shape, communities across Lambeth will experience the transformation that emerges when the boundless energy of youth converges with a shared commitment to progress.
A TWELVE POINT MANIFESTO FOR CHANGE
Our peer research team explored the relationship between the environment that young people grow up in and levels of youth violence through their research. Using the insights from their research the team are building campaigns to demand better opportunities, housing, and an education system that works for all young people, to help tackle the root causes of youth violence locally. Their research resulted in the development of a twelve point manifesto for change that was presented at parliament in 2022. Here’s the changes they need to see:
No more regeneration without opportunities for us
Jobs with local businesses
Consistent and accessible guidance and support
Educate young people on how to make and keep money
Safe and decent homes for all
Properly funded youth provision
No more regeneration without our input
Support with the cost of living
An emphasis on support, not discipline
School staff who treat us as individuals and understand our lives
An education system that works for us
Commitment to anti-racism and anti-discrimination
Joining Hands for a Better Tomorrow
As we embark on this journey of change, we invite you to stand with us. Together, we can transcend the barriers that have silenced young voices for far too long. Together, we can craft a Lambeth that thrives on the dreams, aspirations, and insights of its youth. LPAC's collaborative effort is a testament to the power of unity, the strength of vision, and the unbreakable spirit of the young people who will shape the Lambeth of tomorrow.
Let's drive change together. Let's empower youth voices. Let's be the architects of a safer, brighter future for all.
To find out more about this initiative, please visit lambethpac.com