Supporting young victims of violence
This is a guest blog by Steven Green, Deputy Practice Manager Restorative Approaches at Reach, part of Wigan Council.
As incidents of violence are increasingly documented and disseminated through social media platforms, the emotional and psychological repercussions for young victims have become more pronounced.
GWiNN, an initiative established by dedicated restorative justice practitioners from Wigan REACH service, The Group with No Name (GWiNN), arose from a pressing need to address the alarming rise in youth violence that has left many children as victims.
Recognising that these young individuals often require specialised support tailored to their unique experiences, GWiNN was created as a closed, trauma-informed support group specifically designed for victims aged 18 and under. This safe space allows participants to share their experiences and connect with others who understand what they are going through, although there is no obligation for them to share their story.
The primary objectives of GWiNN are to empower its members and rebuild their self-esteem. Through a variety of workshops and activities, members are provided with essential coping skills that are crucial for navigating their emotional challenges. Furthermore, GWiNN promotes the creation of meaningful social connections among peers who have faced similar adversities.
By fostering this sense of community, GWiNN plays a vital role in helping participants rebuild trust in others and themselves. The supportive environment encourages young individuals to move forward in their lives with renewed hope and resilience, ultimately aiding their recovery from trauma and promoting a brighter future.
How do GWiNN support young people?
Peer Support Circles: These are carefully facilitated sessions that employ restorative circle practices based on the Lundy model. The aim is to create a secure and nurturing environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their personal stories. By encouraging open dialogue and active listening, these circles promote understanding and healing among individuals who have faced similar challenges.
Skill-Building Activities: The workshops are thoughtfully designed to enhance essential skills such as effective communication, emotional resilience, and practical coping strategies. They specifically target the needs of youth who have encountered trauma associated with crime. Through interactive exercises and engaging discussions, participants learn to navigate their emotions, articulate their experiences, and develop tools for managing stress in healthy ways.
Social Connection: This group serves as a vital source of friendship, helping members build meaningful relationships and fostering a sense of belonging. By promoting shared experiences and mutual support, the group aims to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness. This connection is crucial for addressing the stigma that often surrounds trauma and for empowering individuals to cope with the ongoing stress they may encounter in their lives.
GWiNN’s work and impact
In June and July 2025, GWiNN took part in the RJC CPD event, an important gathering that brought together restorative justice professionals eager to explore innovative strategies and new learning in restorative justice. During this event, attendees had the unique opportunity to learn directly from GWiNN’s youth members, gaining invaluable insights into their experiences and perspectives. The event showcased a 2 hour session dedicated to GWiNN pioneering initiative, established by a group of dedicated restorative justice practitioners in Wigan. The initiative was born out of a pressing need to respond to the alarming surge in children being victims of youth violence, which has left many children and adolescents as casualties, either as direct victims or as witnesses to traumatic events.
Additionally, GWiNN emphasises the significance of cultivating meaningful social connections among its members, many of whom have navigated similar adversities. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, GWiNN plays a crucial role in helping participants rebuild trust, not only in themselves but also in their relationships with others.
Through participation in GWiNN’s programs, youth members experience significant personal development. They cultivate increased self-confidence, emotional resilience, and enhanced coping strategies. These skills are not just beneficial in the short term; they lay a foundation for long-term mental health and well-being. By equipping young individuals with tools to navigate life’s challenges, GWiNN plays a vital role in their journey toward becoming resilient adults.
Through workshops organised by the Restorative Justice Council, GWiNN shares its insights on the effectiveness of restorative, peer-led support systems tailored for young victims. This initiative not only informs best practices within the field but also advocates for a shift towards more compassionate methods of support that address the unique needs of youth facing trauma.
The establishment of GWiNN significantly enhances public and professional understanding of the challenges faced by youth crime victims. By raising awareness about the specific issues, they encounter—especially those exacerbated by social media—GWiNN advocates for a more informed and empathetic community response. This engagement encourages broader discussions around the societal impact of youth crime and promotes initiatives aimed at supporting young victims in navigating their experiences.
Giving young victims a real voice
At the heart of GWiNN’s work is a commitment to meaningful participation. To guide this, the group uses the Lundy Model of Child Participation, a framework developed by Professor Laura Lundy to help adults actively listen to and act upon the voices of children and young people in a respectful, rights-based way. The model focuses on four key elements: Space, Voice, Audience, and Influence — and GWiNN brings each of these to life in how they support young victims of crime:
Space:
GWiNN creates safe, inclusive spaces—emotionally and physically—where young people feel secure enough to open up about their experiences. Sessions are designed to be non-judgmental, confidential, and peer-led, so participants feel respected and ready to engage.
“We create a space where young people feel ‘it’s okay to talk’. It’s theirs.”
Voice:
Young people in the group are actively encouraged to express their views, in their own words and in their own time. Whether through talking circles, creative activities, or check-in prompts, their stories and insights are seen as valuable, not just therapeutic.
“You don’t have to say anything—but if you want to, someone will always listen.”
Audience:
Adults—including restorative practitioners and external professionals are present, attentive, and prepared to listen. GWiNN ensures that the voices of children don’t just stay within the group, but are heard by decision-makers who can make change.
For example, GWiNN members have presented at events like the Wigan Youth Justice team meeting and RJC CPD Symposium, offering their perspectives directly to practitioners and policy influencers.
Influence:
Importantly, the views of young people aren’t just acknowledged—they are acted upon. Feedback from GWiNN participants shapes how sessions run, how support is offered, and how wider victim services understand trauma and recovery.
“They changed the way the sessions work because of what we said—so we knew we mattered.”
Why it matters
By embedding the Lundy Model, GWiNN ensures that young victims are not passive recipients of support but active participants in their own recovery and in shaping services for others. It turns restorative practice into a platform for empowerment. In short, the Lundy Model helps GWiNN to listen with intention and respond with action—because every young person deserves to be heard, believed, and supported in a way that truly meets their needs.
If you would like to find out more about GWiNN’s work, you can contact Steven at S.Green4@wigan.gov.uk.