Making Kent and Medway safer, together
We are working to make Kent and Medway safer by preventing violence before it happens and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
We believe that violence is not inevitable. By understanding and addressing the factors that increase vulnerability and risk, we can intervene earlier, reduce harm and build stronger, safer communities for everyone.
Through a collaborative public health approach, we bring together policing, local authorities, education, health, voluntary organisations, communities and families to tackle the causes of violence and create lasting change. Central to this work is listening to young people, ensuring their voices help shape the solutions that affect their lives.
We develop, deliver and support evidence-informed programmes that prevent violence, build resilience and improve life chances. Our focus is on reaching those most at risk, helping young people make positive choices and providing support to those who may already be affected by violence, exploitation or criminality.
Our work ranges from funding positive activities and trusted relationships within communities, to delivering education, training and awareness programmes that enable young people, parents, professionals and organisations to play an active role in prevention.
We also commission and coordinate targeted interventions for young people who are vulnerable to, or involved in, violence, exploitation and serious youth violence, helping them access the support they need to stay safe and achieve their potential.
Everything we do is driven by a commitment to improve outcomes for children and young people. By working together, we aim to reduce violence, strengthen communities and ensure every young person has the opportunity to lead a safe, healthy and fulfilling life.
WHO WE ARE
The Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) brings together partners from policing, local government, health, education, youth services, the voluntary sector and local communities to prevent and reduce violence across the county.
Established in 2019 and funded by the Home Office, we are part of a national network of Violence Reduction Units that lead and coordinate a public health approach to tackling violence. This means understanding the factors that increase vulnerability to violence and working collectively to prevent harm before it occurs.
Kent and Medway is a diverse area with distinct communities, differing needs and varying levels of deprivation. We use data, evidence and local insight to understand these challenges and target support where it can have the greatest impact.
Our role is to provide leadership, coordination and investment in programmes that reduce violence, improve outcomes for children and young people, and strengthen communities. Working alongside our partners, we commission and support interventions, build local capability and help ensure resources are focused on those most at risk.
By bringing organisations and communities together around a shared vision, we aim to create sustainable change that makes Kent and Medway safer for everyone.
