anti-social behaviour – South ribble

From Voice to Action: Co-Producing Change Around Anti-Social Behaviour in South Ribble

At WWUDES, we believe the most meaningful change happens when young people are given the time, space, and trust to share their experiences and shape the conversations that affect their lives.

This project was commissioned by the Team Around Schools and Settings (TASS) in response to ongoing concerns around anti-social behaviour in the Bamber Bridge area of South Ribble. Rather than making assumptions, the aim was to go directly to the source — working with young people to understand what life in their community feels like and what support is needed.

We worked with around 35 Year 7 pupils from Brownedge and Walton-le-Dale High Schools, delivering a series of interactive workshops exploring their lived experiences, perceptions of anti-social behaviour, and their ideas for positive change.

Across these sessions, young people were encouraged to speak openly about their local area, what they see happening around them, and how it impacts their sense of safety, wellbeing, and belonging. This created space for honest reflection and meaningful discussion, ensuring their voices could directly inform the wider conversation.

A key message emerged early in the process: many young people felt that anti-social behaviour is often linked to a lack of emotional awareness and limited access to healthy coping strategies. They spoke about frustration, peer pressure, and the difficulty of managing emotions without the right tools or support.

From these discussions, it became clear that this is not just about behaviour, it is about understanding emotions, building resilience, and providing positive outlets.

Young people highlighted the importance of:

  • Developing emotional awareness and regulation skills
  • Having access to safe and positive activities such as sport, arts, and community projects
  • Feeling connected to their community and valued within it
  • Being involved in shaping the solutions, not just told about them

One of the most powerful outcomes of the project was a co-created booklet developed by the young people themselves. In it, they shared their perspectives on why anti-social behaviour happens in their area and suggested practical ideas for addressing it. This included improving access to support services, increasing opportunities for creative and recreational activities, and strengthening emotional education in schools.

As part of the wider process, young people also reflected on the value of being involved in co-design. Many expressed that having their voices heard made them feel more responsible, more connected to their community, and more aware of the impact their choices can have on others.

Feedback from partners highlighted the importance of this work:

“Thanks to Dave and Wot Wud U Do for delivering such a valuable piece of work which can hopefully have an impact on the lives of young people across Bamber Bridge.”
— Central Lancs TASS

For us, this project reinforced a simple but important truth: young people are not just part of the problem, they are essential to the solution. When they are listened to properly, they offer honest, insightful, and often practical ideas that can shape better responses to community challenges.

As a direct outcome of this work, a school-based youth group was established, giving young people an ongoing platform to share their views and experiences. This group now works directly with the local police and council, helping to shape conversations, influence decisions, and play an active role in the future development of their area.