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People Walking Indoors

Success Stories

People and Communities

The Full Story of MAV UK

MOTHERS AGAINST VIOLENCE (MAVUK)
Success Stories — People and Communities

THE FOUNDING STORY — A COMMUNITY THAT FOUGHT BACK

 

MAVUK has supported the inner-city communities of Greater Manchester since August 1999. The organisation was birthed at a time when gun violence was at its worst in the inner-city community of Manchester. Three young Black males were murdered in the space of eight days in one community. The mothers of that community took a stand and came out fighting — not with guns, but with words of hope.

 

 

MAVUK worked tirelessly and fiercely to raise awareness and bring together communities and agencies. June 2001 saw hundreds of resident’s marches throughout the city in protest at deaths from gun crime, which incurred local and national interest. [MAVUK] was then invited to attend a closed meeting with Tony Blair to highlight their concerns and discuss ways of moving forward.

THE TEN EXCEPTIONAL MOTHERS — INDIVIDUAL STORIES OF COURAGE

Patsy McKie (Founder o of MAV)

 

Patsy was the only mother that lost a child to gun crime who attended the very first meeting which established MAVUK. Her son Dorrie was murdered in August 1999.

 

Patsy went on to serve as a Trustee of [Mothers Against Violence] and continued to collaborate with the independent advisory committee and Greater Manchester Police on behalf of the charity.

 Her story became the founding heartbeat of [MAVUK] — and she remained its most recognisable and beloved voice for over two decades.

A Mother Who Joined After the Murder of Her Son Fabian

 

She joined [MAVUK] after the murder of her son Fabian, who was shot and killed. She worked with the charity delivering workshops with Patsy McKie, who she regarded as her mentor and support after the loss of her son.

 

Jackie was one of two original mothers who lost children because of violent gun crime who returned to take part in the 2019 filming of the 20th Anniversary film, Year Zero.

A Mother Who Became a Voice for Change

 

She joined [MAVUK] after the shooting and murder of her son Dean. She became a voice for change in the community and visited Boston in the USA

 — demonstrating how [MAVUK]'s influence and reach extended well beyond Manchester's borders.

A Mother Who Established a Youth Service

 

She attended the second meeting arranged by mothers in the community and took a lead role in the initial development of [Mothers Against Violence]. She went on to establish and become the Director of a youth-led service called Manchester Active Voices (M.A.V).

 

 Pat — A Mother Who Spoke Honestly in Schools

 

She was working in local schools sharing the story of the murder of her son Danny, who was shot to death. Pat was honest about her son's involvement with gangs and his criminal history. However, her focus was always to share that his choices were not always right, but his life had meaning and value. She encouraged young people to make better choices.

 

Pat died in 2007. MAVUK are proud of her contribution. They are even more proud of her work and personal achievements in her fight against gun crime.

 

 Rose Thomson — Treasurer and Founding Member

 

She joined MAVUK after the murder of her nephew in 1999. She has served as Treasurer for the charity since 2010 and has supported services at [MAVUK] since 2004. These services include home visits to victims of violence after a murder or a violent attack.

 

A Mother Whose Son Survived a Stabbing — The Chris Cave Foundation

 

She joined after the brutal stabbing of her son Chris in 2003. She highlighted the issues of knife crime and the dangers of young people using knives as weapons as well as in defence. Chris, her son, lost his life in the Northeast area of Redcar.

 

MAVUK joined forces with mothers in Redcar to offer support. [MAVUK] Redcar is now called the Chris Cave Foundation and has established itself as an organisation which addresses the issues of knife crime. [MAVUK] continue to support the organisation and are extremely proud of all the Chris Cave Foundation has achieved.

 

The Volunteer Who Created the Million Mothers March

 

She joined MAVUK as a volunteer and led the 10th Anniversary event called the Million Mothers March. The event went on to be an annual promotion event for the charity and celebrated the many achievements of [MAVUK]. The Making Children and Young People Matter (MCYPM) Service was established as a direct result of the Million Mothers March Events.

 

COMMUNITY IMPACT — YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES

Stop and Reach — Young People Rehabilitated

 

The project offered alternative solutions to problems which prevented violence and encouraged a more socially acceptable outcome. The young people who engaged with the project experienced resettlement and rehabilitation, evidenced by enhanced life skills and an increased preparation for employment or training. The young people reported that hearing stories from victims and their families was most beneficial.

 

Building a New Generation (BANG)

 

Since 2013, Building a New Generation (BANG) has aimed to engage thirty young people each year, supporting them with self-esteem, goal setting, employment, and business mentoring. The project completes at least one weekend residential and holds a talent event and celebration for children and young people.

Young Girls and Gang Involvement

 

In more recent years, MAVUK has seen a rise in young girls getting involved with gangs and has completed collaborate with schools in the local area providing support and guidance for girls involved with gangs and anti-social behaviour.

 

Parenting Support in Manchester

 

Manchester lost many aspects of parenting support during the first stage of government cuts in 2011 and parents of teens in Manchester have been left with much less group or one-to-one support since the cuts. MAVUK are keen to bridge this gap, helping parents to develop positive relationships with their young people.

 

Mentoring Black Young Males

 

The mentoring service provided by the ACCESS Programme has a focus on young Black males. Over 90% of victims of gun crime in the inner city of Manchester have been of Black origin, many having dual heritage. There is a priority need for support for young males in this category. The experience of volunteers and support staff suggests a lack of positive male role models has contributed to these young males getting into gang activity.

 

Ian Swanston — A Personal Story of Loss Turned to Purpose

 

Ian lost his brother to murder in August 1999. Ian's younger brother was gunned down in the inner city of Manchester. The killer was never found. Ian and his family have never been able to receive criminal justice.

 

As well as being a qualified counsellor, Ian is trained in three parenting programmes and is an accredited Triple P Parenting Practitioner. He provides parenting support and training for parents who are experiencing challenging behaviour from their children. Ian has completed training in areas such as bereavement skills, mental health, mindfulness practice, and traumatic death. He has a commitment to his personal development and believes this is vital to providing ongoing support for victims of crime. Ian has worked with several support services across Greater Manchester and brings a vast amount of personal and professional knowledge to the [MAVUK] team.

 

Education, Skills, and Community Transformation — 2025 and Beyond

 

The Phoenix Way funding will enable MAVUK to concentrate on community projects in Manchester. These projects will range from youth engagement programmes to music, sports, environmental efforts, and social enterprise development. The focus is on young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, bringing together local individuals, organisations, and authorities to create a positive, lasting impact.

 

 

Youth mentoring and after-school clubs offer safe spaces for young people to learn and grow. Adult education classes cover topics such as digital literacy, language skills, and vocational training. Workshops and seminars are focused on health, wellbeing, and fiscal management.

 

University of Manchester — Academic Recognition

 

A qualitative research study of the phenomenon of bereaved family activism was conducted, with findings based upon fifteen in-depth interviews and participant observations with Mothers Against Violence — a Manchester-based charity that emerged in response to an intense period of gun violence and ensuing community outcry in the 1990s. The aim of this research was to explore how victims have confronted and mobilised their experiences of lethal violence to promote acknowledgment and prompt recognition.

SUMMARY OF KEY COMMUNITY SUCCESSES

| Story - Achievement - Impact |

| Founding in 1999 | Hundreds of mothers united in one week of crisis |
| Million Mothers March | Hundreds marched citywide — national media coverage |
| Meeting with Tony Blair | Community voices heard at government level |
| Queen's Voluntary Service Award 2004 | Highest recognition of community service |
| Chris Cave Foundation | Born from MAVUK — now an independent knife crime organisation |
| Stop and Reach | Young people rehabilitated with enhanced life skills |
| BANG Programme | 30 young people per year mentored since 2013 |
| ACCESS Counselling | 50% increase in one-to-one therapy sessions |
| Business Development | 45+ ex-offenders supported into employment |
| Year Zero Film (2019) | Heritage Lottery-funded 20-year legacy documented |
| University of Manchester Study | Academic recognition of MAVUK's community impact |
| Phoenix Way Funding 2025 | New chapter of youth enrichment and community transformation |

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