Peer Action Collective
The London Peer Action Collective is a youth-led initiative focused on tackling issues around school exclusions and youth violence. The project brings together 19 young peer researchers and social action leads. It’s delivered through a partnership between The McPin Foundation, which leads on peer research, and The Peace Alliance, which supports social action. The project is backed by The Young Foundation and funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, Co-op, and the #iWill Movement.
Phase One: Listening and Learning
In the first phase, the team set out to answer one key question: “What support helps young people before, during, and after school exclusion to protect them from youth violence?”
Through interviews and discussions, the peer researchers spoke with 71 young people aged 12 to 23 from London and the South East. Their insights formed the basis of a research report, published in October 2024, highlighting the challenges and support systems that matter most.
Phase One: Listening and Learning
In the first phase, the team set out to answer one key question: “What support helps young people before, during, and after school exclusion to protect them from youth violence?”
Through interviews and discussions, the peer researchers spoke with 71 young people aged 12 to 23 from London and the South East. Their insights formed the basis of a research report, published in October 2024, highlighting the challenges and support systems that matter most.
The Xcluded Film
To share these lived experiences more widely, the team co-produced an interactive film called Xcluded, in collaboration with Antonikk Media and over 50 young people from Tottenham. Directed by SMILA1TAKE, the film combines drama and education to explore youth violence, mental health, and school exclusion.
It follows Heaven, a young girl navigating the pressures of school, exclusion, and emotional turmoil—offering a powerful look at how these experiences shape a young person’s life.
Phase Two: Taking Action
Now in its second phase, the project is focused on transforming insights into impact. Building on what they learned in Phase One, the London Peer Action Collective is using research findings to guide meaningful social action, led entirely by young people. Their goal is to improve how schools and communities respond to the challenges surrounding exclusion and violence.
This phase is about more than raising awareness, it’s about creating real change. Whether it’s developing new support systems, influencing policy, or sharing stories that shift public perception, the team is committed to making a difference in the lives of young people across London.