Purpose

Coram Leap are a well-established organisation, with proven experience in delivering programmes to support violence reduction, including their flagship Leadership & Enterprise (L&E) programme in Lambeth and Southwark. Independent evaluations across multiple phases have consistently evidenced L&E’s impact, including improvements in young people’s confidence, emotional awareness, communication skills, and ability to manage conflict constructively. The programme has been recognised in national research, including the Greater Manchester VRU Horizon Scan, as an example of effective preventative practice. This decision presents an opportunity to pilot a similar conflict reduction approach in Greater Manchester, in alignment with this horizon scan.

This programme is intended to complement and work in partnership with existing VRU programmes through the development of a youth leadership programme to grow a cohort of young conflict navigators. Three schools and neighbourhoods have already been identified by Manchester City Council as possible locations for the programme.

The Young Conflict Navigators programme builds on learning from the Leadership and Enterprise programme, while also responding to the local context and existing services for young people in Greater Manchester including programmes such as the Youth Civic Leadership Programme, and other mentoring and support programmes for young people at greater risk of being drawn into harmful behaviours and violence. Through this programme, Coram Leap will develop and train young leaders across Greater Manchester, equipping them with the skills, confidence and support to lead positive change within their schools, peer groups and communities. Through this, young people are supported to navigate conflict more constructively and contribute to safer, more resilient environments. The Young Conflict Navigators model is a three-year programme designed to combine direct delivery with young people, educational staff, parents/carers and local youth practitioners. With a focus on sustainability, Coram Leap will build capacity within schools and communities while supporting young people to develop as leaders and role models.

Across the three years, the budget will support the training of around 30 young people as Conflict Navigators, enable the programme to reach around 450 young people across schools, and engage approximately 90 adults (including teachers, parents and Hub staff) to strengthen the wider support system.

Decision

GMCA Safer & Stronger Communities (Violence Reduction Unit) award £149,912.00 to Coram Leap for the delivery of a Youth Conflict Navigators Programme in schools in Manchester between 1st July 2026 and 30th June 2029 (academic years 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29).

The breakdown by financial year is as follows:
• 2026/27: £39,097.50
• 2027/28: £55,508.00
• 2028/29: £55,306.50