Baroness Newlove in safe communities bid
Baroness Newlove, whose husband Garry was murdered in 2007, has led a "call to action" for people to work together to make neighbourhoods safer.
Helen Newlove has become a champion of victims' rights since her husband was kicked to death after challenging youths outside their Warrington home.
She now hopes to get residents, businesses and police to join forces to combat anti-social behaviour.
Baroness Newlove was made a peer by David Cameron in July.
Her husband died three days after being kicked "like a football" by a gang who had been vandalising his car in the Cheshire town.
Three teenagers were jailed for life for his murder.
As the government's new Champion for Active, Safer Communities, Baroness Newlove is calling on community activists to share their ideas.
She will visit projects across the UK to meet people who have helped make a difference in their area, see what works and what problems prevent successful community activism.
Her findings will be shared on a blog and she will report back to ministers next year.
Baroness Newlove said: "For a real revolution to happen we need all the existing groups to help spread their success far and wide - if every group already doing good work now helps another we will see a real cultural shift."
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Baroness Newlove will be championing the active part people can play, alongside the front line, in tackling the problems that matter most in their neighbourhoods.
"She brings a wealth of experience to this important new role that really is at the vanguard of community empowerment. I look forward to seeing the results of her work which will help us all build safer and more confident communities free from crime and anti-social behaviour."