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West Yorkshire Youth Commission

The West Yorkshire Youth Commission was a peer‑led programme for young people to shape safer communities from 2023 - 2026.

About the Youth Commission

The Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) partnered with Leaders Unlocked to establish the West Yorkshire Youth Commission — a pioneering, peer‑led initiative giving young people a real voice to help build safer communities and have their say about urgent issues that affect their lives.

Throughout the programme, Youth Commissioners worked on four priority themes identified by young people across West Yorkshire:

Rehabilitation and Prevention — supporting early intervention and positive pathways
Community Relationships and Life — strengthening trust, belonging, and local support networks
Attitudes and Violence Towards Women — challenging harmful behaviours and promoting respect
Gangs, Drugs and Knife Crime — tackling exploitation and reducing serious violence

A group of young people representing the youth commission

The Youth Commission report

As part of the 2025/26 Big Conversation, the Youth Commission carried out its final year of peer‑led research, engaging young people across West Yorkshire.