Through the Peer Action Collective (PAC) young people are working to lead research on issues of violence and using what they learn to drive change.  

PAC is a ground-breaking network of peer researchers and changemakers. Young people with lived experience of violence find out what needs to happen to make their area a better place to live and turn these insights into action.  From coproducing violence reduction strategies, influencing school practises, improving local mental health services, and supporting more young people into employment – together, they are ensuring that young voices respond to issues that directly affect them.  

PAC was founded and funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, the #iwill Fund (a joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and the Co-op to support young people to take the lead on issues related to violence that affect them. 

Since the launch in 2021, PAC has seen over 12000 young people taking on the issues affecting their local communities and creating solutions. They are taking on the biggest challenges, while also influencing hundreds of senior decision-makers across the country.  

From 2025 to 2027 a final PAC programme, funded by the Youth Endowment Fund and the #iwill Fund (a joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport), will see a further 2600 young people work together in creating research-based, long term and sustainable social action to help young people access opportunities and live a life free from violence. 

You can read about PAC’s insights and recommendations in their research report: ‘Leading research, driving change‘.

Peer Action Collective in Action

Local Partners

PAC is being delivered in 4 communities in England. In each of these areas, we’ve partnered with a lead organisation (who’ll often work with a bigger consortium of local youth services) to recruit and support the young people who are leading the PAC. These partners include:

• High Trees Community Development Trust in London (Lambeth)
• Pure Insight in Greater Manchester
• Lecistershire Violence Reduction Network in Leicester
• Coffee Afrik in London (Tower Hamlets)

Central Partners

Along with local partners, the overall delivery of PAC is supported by the following central partners.

The Young Foundation

The Young Foundation are our national partner providing training and support on peer research and social action throughout the programme.

Renaisi

Renaisi will design, lead and implement the evaluation of PAC, as well as programme monitoring.

Find out more by visiting the PAC website.