‘Youth Connect,’ an online hub showcasing youth voice activity in the Humber area, officially launches on International Youth Day.
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) commissioned Eski, a social impact media and campaigns consultancy, to build on existing research focused on young people’s perceptions of safety and violence in the region.
Eski and the Humber VPP worked with more than 40 local organisations to understand how youth voice is currently gathered, shared and used. Alongside this, young people shared their experiences on the support available to them. The findings highlighted the significant amount of youth engagement taking place across the region, while also identifying opportunities to make these insights easier to access and use.
In response, Eski collaborated with the Humber VPP and local partners to develop Youth Connect, a website that brings together relevant youth voice evidence in one accessible location. It includes a database and interactive map, a repository of youth voice reports and a tool that allows users to explore insights, identify recurring themes and better understand the issues and aspirations that matter most to young people. Practitioners can use Youth Connect to support funding applications for youth activities and incorporating youth voice into policies and delivery plans.
Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside and Chair of the Humber VPP, said:
“As a Violence Reduction Unit focused on early intervention, youth voice is at the heart of the Humber VPP.
“We’ve heard from young people that their voices must lead to meaningful action. Youth Connect is a practical step towards this, reducing consultation fatigue and giving partners a straightforward way to understand what young people are experiencing.
“These resources will also inform the Humber VPP’s future activity and make sure that their violence prevention work is further guided by the young people it’s designed to support.”
Key insights from the research:
• Violence was framed as protection and survival, with weapons carrying highlighted as a method of safety rather than a means to cause harm.
• Mental health is a serious concern for young people at an increasingly younger age, due to the aftermath of Covid-19 and the consumption of social media.
• Young people need to trust that the care they receive is genuine and consistent.
• Online conflict frequently spills into offline spaces; social media makes violence and conflict that they could previously walk away from inescapable.
• Young people are calling out for more accessible, positive activities.
John Gilbert, CEO of Eski, said:
“International Youth Day feels like the perfect time to launch Youth Connect, an initiative we’ve helped develop to ensure young people’s voices are heard, understood and used to shape better decisions.
“A huge amount of valuable youth engagement is taking place, but the learning, insights and experiences gathered are often spread across multiple reports, consultations, surveys and programmes.
“We worked closely with local youth organisations and young people themselves, who shared their experiences of what ‘help that helps’ really means. Their contributions have been central to shaping this work and helping partners develop a stronger understanding of the issues and opportunities facing young people across our communities in relation to preventing violent crime.
“Thanks to the many organisations and young people who gave their time, knowledge and lived experience. This is very much a collective achievement.”
Youth Connect was introduced for feedback at the Humber VPP’s Partnership Conference on 18 June 2026. Developed through collaboration with local organisations, practitioners and young people, the platform reflects a shared commitment to making sure youth voice continues to shape violence prevention services, strategies and interventions across Humberside.