‘I want as few people as possible to go through the trauma I did’: the youth worker who’s helping make communities safer

‘I think creating a safe space in town, like we have at school, for young people to go to would really help.’ Illustration: Abbey Lossing/Guardian

I walk into a classroom full of tiny chairs, and it takes me back to when I was at primary school; as I look at the colourful walls covered in kids’ work, I think about how much has changed in schools since I was in their shoes.

I’m at a Merseyside primary school to discuss youth violence. The team I’m with have prepared questions to get the children talking about the topic and how it makes them feel, without it being too overwhelming. To help with this, we ask them about their understanding of youth violence, and allow them to answer in creative ways, such as drawing.