Purpose

St Peters High school at Longsight is part of a collaboration of schools who run yearly initiatives (children led) to engage and educate their peers on social issues. A film has been produced (phase 1) with support of a range of VRU partners and lived experience friends. This film has been showcased at an MCC safeguarding event attended by several schools and senior colleagues from schools / MCC, and has been very well received. The Deputy Mayor has seen the film and fully supports its purpose. Likewise, the DCS of Manchester City Council is fully supportive.

There is now an opportunity to develop this film further and use it as part of an educational package being developed by the VRU / StreetDoctors / lived experience.
The package would consist of:
• A 3-minute immersive audio prologue, created by Soroush Faghedi (original sound designer for Lives Not Knives) using carefully selected excerpts from contributor interviews alongside an original soundscape, providing a powerful and reflective introduction to the film.
• The completed Lives, Not Knives film.
• A 5-minute impact and behind-the-scenes film, drawing on production footage and participant reflections to capture the young people's journey, learning and contribution to the project.
• A discussion resource to support future screenings in schools, community settings and professional environments.
Together, these elements would create a complete screening experience while also capturing the lived experience, youth voice, learning outcomes and safeguarding practice that sit behind the project. Importantly, it would help demonstrate the wider value of the learner-led approach that has been central to the project's success.
We feel this would:
• Extend the value and reach of the original investment.
• Preserve and amplify the voices of contributors and young people involved.
• Provide a stronger resource for schools, safeguarding professionals and community partners.
• Create a high-quality launch package for HOME Manchester and future screenings.
• Showcase an innovative Greater Manchester approach to youth participation, violence prevention and safeguarding.
• Create a compelling case study to support future partnership and commissioning opportunities.
The VRU within GMCA is funding half of the total cost of £6750, with Manchester City Council funding the remaining half. This work will further strengthen relationships between schools and VRU, provide material that can be shared wider, and provide educational / skills opportunities for the children involved.

Decision

The VRU will award £3,375 to engage Moving Parts Media to collaborate with the VRU and other partners to enhance / develop the current St Peters ‘Lives not Knives’ film and educational programme.