The region's violence reduction unit has received a much-needed boost by a public health expert who led Bolton through Covid in a bid to transform the way Greater Manchester handles serious violence.

Greater Manchester's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was set up in October 2019 to work with academics, health and education professionals and community leaders to learn about violence and how to stop it in local communities.

Now, it has been bolstered by a new public health lead who has more than 20 years' experience as a chief officer and senior manager in NHS and local government.

Professor Helen Lowey, who has focussed predominantly on public health and inequalities, has been appointed to help drive forward the VRU's public health approach to tackling serious violence.

The ambitious programme seeks to bring change for communities and the workforce to make the city-region more trauma-responsive.

Prof Lowey previously held a national role as a civil servant, leading on preventing childhood adversity and trauma.

She led Bolton through the pandemic with emergency response work whilst seeking to modernise public health in the area.

However, her main passion is to reduce inequalities, having led the development of various multi-agency strategies including accident prevention, suicide prevention and mental wellbeing, violence prevention and substance misuse. 

For her efforts, Prof Lowey received the Faculty of Public Health's President Gold Medal for her "inspirational leadership" during 2021.

Prof Lowey said: "I am thrilled to take up this opportunity to support the VRU and partners to deliver a public health approach to reducing violence and inequalities across Greater Manchester.

“I am keen to listen to the voices of our residents and use relevant data to inform our approach and interventions.

"I look forward to working with the team and partners to strengthen the VRU’s understanding of the factors that contribute to violence and how these can be addressed.”

Deputy mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire, Bev Hughes, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Helen to the VRU to support the ground-breaking work that the team are doing to tackle the complex issue of serious violence, which blights the lives of victims, families, and communities.

“A public health approach is central to our work and Helen will be a key part of the team in changing the lives of many across Greater Manchester.”