To Begin at the Beginning - A funders response to serious youth violence

In 'To Begin at the Beginning' we have outlined a set of draft principles which were created to inform how funders should work when tackling violence affecting young people. These sit alongside case studies of work that begin to explore them in practice. As you read through you will see that these principles explain and outline why funders should use the public health approach to tackling violence.

This means looking at violence not as an isolated incident or solely a police enforcement problem. Instead, this approach looks at violence as a preventable consequence of a range of factors, such as adverse early-life experiences, or harmful social or community experiences and influence. A public health approach takes a strategic, coordinated, long-term and evidence-based approach across a range of agencies, including cross sector partnerships spanning voluntary, statutory and private sector organisations working with communities. There is a focus on a defined population, often with a health risk in common e.g geography, common experiences, a health condition, or demographic characteristics, like age.

The questions and challenges which arose from conversations with our members made us examine what role we as London Funders need to be taking to rise to the demands exacted by serious youth violence.

We hope that this report is a first step in placing the work of our members within a broader context and bringing together examples of practice to provide inspiration and encourage connections. We also hope that it will act as a catalyst for the next step of a coming together of funders who are committed to working purposefully to root these principles in action.

Click here for a full report.