Chester residents invited to Storyhouse to tackle youth violence
Families, professionals, and residents across Cheshire West and Chester are being called to a major event at Storyhouse designed to address youth violence and build safer neighborhoods. The ‘Fighting for Change’ initiative, organized by the Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Youth Service, offers a direct way for the community to engage with experts and support services.
This free event follows the successful rollout of youth safety programmes in Chester, Northwich, and Winsford. It aims to increase awareness of the challenges facing young people today while providing practical tools for collective community response.
Event schedule and participation details
Residents planning to attend can find the essential logistics for the day below. The session is designed to be accessible but carries a recommended age limit due to the nature of the content discussed.
- Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
- Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Location: Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester
- Admission: Free entry
- Audience: Ages 14+ recommended (Ages 11+ permitted with parental guidance due to graphic images and emotional language)
Interactive workshops and expert support
The day is structured around participation rather than passive listening. Attendees will have access to leading organizations that specialize in youth intervention and emergency response.
StreetDoctors will deliver interactive workshops focused on teaching young people how to provide emergency first aid in the event of a violent incident. Their presence aims to empower bystanders with life-saving skills while deglamorizing the reality of injury. Additionally, Make Mouth Music will provide creative sessions that explore the impact of youth violence through artistic expression, offering a different medium for young people to process their experiences.
Partner agencies such as The JJ Effect will also contribute to the program. Known for their powerful lived-experience presentations, they focus on the long-term consequences of knife crime and the ripple effect it has on families and the wider community. These contributions are intended to foster open, honest conversations between generations and professionals.
Practical resources for families and professionals
Beyond the workshops, Storyhouse will host a variety of market stalls showcasing local support services. These stalls serve as a hub for residents to find resources, advice, and direct contact details for organizations working year-round in Cheshire West and Chester.
Connecting with these services allows families to understand the preventative approaches available before a crisis occurs. Professionals working in education, social care, and law enforcement will also find opportunities to network and align their strategies for supporting vulnerable young people. Communities across the country are adopting similar preventative strategies; for instance, Haringey launches youth workshops and sports to tackle knife crime to provide constructive outlets and safety sweeps for local families.
Creating safer environments through collaboration
Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, ‘Fighting for Change’ represents a collaborative effort to strengthen the social fabric of the region. Amanda Perraton, Executive Director for Children and Families at Cheshire West and Chester Council, emphasized that the event is about understanding the specific challenges facing the youth today and exploring how every resident can play a role in safety.
By bringing together the Youth Service, partner agencies, and the public at a central venue like Storyhouse Chester, the council hopes to create a sustainable model for harm reduction. The focus remains on empowerment—giving individuals the knowledge and the confidence to make a positive difference in their own streets and schools. Residents are encouraged to register in advance to secure their place in the workshops.
