‘I am Greater’ is Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit’s campaign aimed at reducing violence amongst young people. https://iamgreater.co.uk/
Now in its third phase, the campaign has been developed in collaboration with young people from across our region. It aims to highlight how young people are being greater than violence by sharing inspirational examples of those who have a positive story to tell about their lives and ambitions for the future.
Furthermore, two additional sub-campaigns have been developed: one that focuses on online behaviour, and another that unites the broader Greater Manchester community to provide support and encouragement to young people (We are Greater).
The ‘We Are Greater’ strand of the campaign promotes the importance of community cohesion, integration and engagement.
‘We Are Greater’ is about bringing together local community groups and organisations to create a positive campaign that promotes community cohesion, and signposts the incredible activities, clubs, groups, and events happening across Greater Manchester, that young people can get involved in.
The week of 13 November is ‘We are Greater’ week in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit are asking schools, colleges, youth groups, sports teams, and anyone else that works with young people to get involved by doing the following:
- Use the lesson resources in your sessions (and complete the pre and post session surveys)
- Encourage young people to create their own videos showing why they are greater, using the Snapchat and Instagram filters (tag the VRU in videos so these can be reshared)
- Get in touch to discuss other opportunities to work together, including providing life-sized frames and locks to show your young people’s commitment to being greater, and creating ‘I am Greater’ murals
There is also an opportunity to have Media Cubs, an organisation that teaches young people to create, debate, and navigate the news with confidence, to attend your school/college/youth group/sports team and deliver a series of workshops that will cover how to create a news report, news agendas, and allow young people to create their own content on positive alternatives to violence.
Workshops are suitable for young people aged 13-25 and will be held weekly for a period of four weeks, with each workshop lasting approximately an hour and a half. The first workshops are available on 17 November (there are a limited number of funded workshops available so these will be offered on a first come first serve basis). Email: [email protected] if you are interested.
If you’re a teacher, a youth worker, or an organisation that would like to support the campaign, you can download these free resources:
Partners pack
Schools/Youth Groups pack
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are keen to see some of this work in action, so if you have any plans or any other ideas or ways you can support, email: [email protected]