AdsBridge Youth Connection
A community led approach to violence reduction
in Stockport
What is AdsBridge Youth Connection?
In 2023 Stockport was allocated funding for a community-led programme by the Greater ManchesterViolence Reduction Unit (GM VRU). The community-led programme in Stockport started with a period of co-design with residents of Adswood and Bridgehall to produce a set of priorities. Local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations were asked to apply to receive part of the fund to deliver provisions for young people aged 10- 25 and form an alliance that work collaboratively to fulfill the priorities set.
The community-led approach to violence reduction, means the violence reduction unit works closely with communities to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community and determine how local investments will be made with communities at the heart of decision making.
Who are the Alliance partners?
The alliance partners of the Stockport Alliance are:
““Two months ago I didn’t know what Chloe was going to do after the summer. Now she has direction and something to feel excited about.”
— Parent
Highlights from Year 1
Discover the achievements and learnings made in year 1 of Adsbridge Youth Connection.
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169 sessions delivered
313 individuals supported
Relationships with schools, police, and local stakeholders strengthened
Trauma-sensitive safe spaces created for vulnerable youth
Cross-estate friendships encouraged and community cohesion has improved
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The alliance approach has created a unified, holistic support system, amplifying positive outcomes for vulnerable youth and families across Adswood and Bridgehall, setting a strong foundation for future growth and deeper impact.
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enabled members to deliver joint events offering diverse, tailored activities that boost youth engagement and empowerment
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created between partners ensured families accessed trauma-informed support and domestic abuse services seamlessly
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The Alliance rebuilt relationships between young people, families, schools, and local police, creating safer and more inclusive environments
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Shared use of underutilised venues expanded access to sports, creative, and social action projects, making activities more accessible and visible
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Shared calendars, resource pooling, and regular attendance at each other’s sessions improved communication and alignment across partners, strengthening impact
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Joint funding bids and appointment of a dedicated facilitator are laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term delivery.
What’s on for young people in Adswood & Bridgehall
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Transforming Lives Together have engaged a CYP Using Harm Worker who will run the Respect Young People’s Programme, the TLC: Encouraging Healthy Relationships Programme, as well as offering counselling. The first of their programmes is RESPECT, aimed at improving relationships between young people and their parents/carers.
The second of their programmes is Encouraging Healthy Relationships, aimed at improving relationships between young people and their partners or siblings.
More information or refer: Young People’s Programmes - TLC: Talk, Listen, Change (talklistenchange.org.uk)
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Stockport County Community Trust delivers three evening youth engagement football sessions a week. One of these sessions is a girls-only group designed to give girls a voice and choice, allowing players to input into the session’s structure, and ensuring their needs and preferences are catered for. In the winter months, they will deliver a twelve-week social action project, bringing together the community to design a project which will have a benefit for young people living in Adswood and Bridge Hall.
Stockport County also run boxing sessions focusing on sports and inclusion
To book contact communitytrust@stockportcounty.com
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PIE delivers transition projects supporting cohorts of young peoplesupporting them as they transition from primary to secondary school or from secondary school to further education/ employment/ training:
Step Up programme – supporting Year 6 students through the last two months of primary school, the summer holidays and the first 4 months of secondary school.
Peer mentors – Supporting step up students for an additional six months, providing leadership opportunities and additional support through their first year of secondary school.
Moving On – Ongoing sessions throughout the school year supporting young people ages 11-18 who are struggling to engage with education. Sessions aim to help build up confidence, resilience and skills, and if appropriate, support to their next destination (education, workplace, training as appropriate).
To book contact beth@pie.org
Feedback
Young person
“There’s not been anything like this before so it makes me feel good when I’m here and I can meet people and play.”
Young person
“I am nervous about going to secondary school but I know people now and that’s nice.”
Parent
“You see people out here playing that you don’t usually see and that’s great, it keeps them out of trouble and they can build connections between eachother. ”
Stockport VRU Mini Grants
The grant programme supported Voluntary, Community, Faith-Based, Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations working in and around Adswood & Bridgehall, Stockport, to deliver activities for young people that ultimately contribute to a reduction in anti-social behaviour locally.
Read about the Impact of the Minigrants
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The Sound Pathways Youth Programme, delivered by Expression Concert Music Foundation CIC, provided young people from Adswood & Bridgehall with the opportunity to develop musical skills in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment.
Over four weeks, participants received tuition in piano, drums, and vocal training while building confidence, creativity, and positive relationships with their peers.
One participant joined the programme feeling shy and lacking confidence in her musical ability because it was a new experience for her, even though she had passion to learn music. As the sessions progressed, she became more engaged, actively participated in group activities, and showed significant improvement her confidence and performance. By the end of the programme, she was willing to perform in front of others and expressed a desire to continue learning music.
Parents also shared positive feedback, noting that their children looked forward to attending each week and were practising at home between sessions.
The programme gave young people a positive and structured activity during their free time, helping them build new friendships and spend time in a creative environment away from negative influences.
The project demonstrated how music can be a powerful tool for improving confidence, encouraging teamwork, and creating positive opportunities for young people.
Due to its success, Expression Concert Music Foundation CIC plans to continue and expand this work, providing more young people with access to music education and positive community activities
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The Make Good Pop-Up Programme delivered four pop-up workshops in Adswood and Bridgehall over several months. The project's aim was to promote creative wellbeing, encourage social action, and provide positive opportunities for local young people to engage with their community.
Two social action sessions focused on environmental and community engagement. Young people nurtured and grew 80 sunflower seedlings before planting them into decorated terracotta pots. The finished pots were distributed to community members at the AdsBridge Fun Day, giving young people the opportunity to make a positive contribution to their neighbourhood while developing a sense of pride and ownership in their work.
Two further pop-up sessions took place at Adswood Youth Centre, offering a range of arts and crafts activities. Young people were able to paint, create artwork, and make crafts to take home, encouraging creativity, self-expression, and social interaction in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
The programme successfully engaged 113 young people across four pop-up events, combining creative activities with meaningful social action. Participants developed practical and creative skills while strengthening connections with their local community through the sunflower project.
An additional outcome of the programme was the opportunity to build relationships and connection. We met a group of young people at Adswood Youth Centre who expressed a strong interest in creative enterprise. Through these initial engagements, they were introduced to Make Good's wider offer and have since accessed ongoing creative enterprise and youth leadership sessions at the Make Good base. This has enabled these young people to continue developing their creativity, confidence, leadership skills, and aspirations beyond the pop-up programme.
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"It was truly heartwarming to watch Re Cycle In repair a bike for a child at a recent Adsbridge event. The bike was in quite poor condition, with a torn seat, no brakes, and a number of issues that made it unsafe to ride.
Seeing the team's dedication as they carefully restored the bike to a roadworthy condition was inspiring. The real highlight for me however, was the child's reaction. She was absolutely delighted to have her bike back and, most importantly, to be able to ride it safely again.
Witnessing the positive impact this simple act of kindness had on her confidence and happiness was a real privilege. It was a wonderful reminder of the difference that community support and practical help can make in a young person's life."
Get in touch
Sally McFerran-Davenport
Stockport Violence Reduction Alliance Facilitator
sally.mcferran-davenport@sector3sk.org