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Chester families invited to ‘Fighting for Change’ safety event

Residents across Cheshire West are being encouraged to join a day of action aimed at reducing youth violence and fostering safer neighborhoods. The ‘Fighting for Change’ event, scheduled for late May at Storyhouse, provides a platform for families, professionals, and young people to engage with practical safety initiatives and support networks.

This initiative marks the continued rollout of a program that has already seen engagement in Northwich and Winsford. By bringing together various partner agencies, the event focuses on increasing awareness of the root causes of violence and exploring collective community responses. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with services that work on the frontline of youth protection and harm reduction.

Essential details for the Storyhouse gathering

The event is free to attend, though organizers have issued a guidance note regarding the nature of the presentations. Due to the inclusion of emotional content, graphic images, and strong language used to illustrate the realities of violence, the event is recommended for those aged 14 and over. Children aged 11 and over may attend with parental guidance.

Detail Information
Date Wednesday 27 May 2026
Time 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester
Cost Free entry
Eligibility Residents, families, and professionals (Ages 14+ recommended)

Specialist workshops and youth support services

The day features a curated program of interactive sessions led by national and local organizations. StreetDoctors will deliver workshops focused on emergency first-aid skills, empowering young people to act in critical situations. Meanwhile, Make Mouth Music will provide creative outlets for expression, demonstrating how the arts can serve as a preventative tool against antisocial behavior.

Key contributions will also come from The JJ Effect, an organization known for its impactful testimony on the consequences of knife crime. While Chester focuses on these collaborative sessions, other areas are also implementing specialist support and safety workshops to engage young people through sports and music, highlighting a broader national trend toward multi-agency prevention.

In addition to the scheduled workshops, a marketplace of stalls will showcase local resources. These stalls offer a direct line to advice for parents concerned about their children’s safety and for professionals looking to strengthen their referral pathways.

Strengthening community safety across Cheshire West

Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the event is part of a wider strategy to empower local individuals to make a positive difference. Amanda Perraton, Executive Director for Children and Families at Cheshire West and Chester Council, noted that the day is designed to help the community better understand the challenges facing young people today.

By utilizing Storyhouse as a central hub, the Youth Service aims to foster open conversations that move beyond statistics and into practical, lived solutions. The collaborative approach involves not just the local authority, but also independent charities and community groups working in unison. This collective effort is intended to ensure that young people in Chester and the surrounding towns have the support they need to thrive in a secure environment.

Registration for the event is currently open through the official council portal. Participants are encouraged to book early to secure places in specific workshops, as these interactive sessions often reach capacity quickly due to high local interest.

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council

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Eleanor Thompson

Eleanor Thompson

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Eleanor Thompson is a dedicated journalist with over a decade of experience covering regional governance in West Yorkshire. Specialising in Leeds City Council affairs, she focuses on translating complex policy decisions into clear, actionable news for the local community. Eleanor is committed to high standards of civic reporting, ensuring that municipal spending and development plans are transparent and serve the public interest of Leeds residents

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