BBC Children in Need, in partnership with several major UK funders including Co‑op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations, and The National Lottery Community Fund, has launched Lead the Change, a new initiative aimed at empowering young people to strengthen their local communities. Over three years, the £3.4 million programme will provide safe and welcoming spaces where young people can build confidence and leadership skills through workshops, mentoring, and community-led projects. Participants will also play an active role in decision-making through a dedicated youth panel that guides funding recommendations.
Research commissioned by the funders from More in Common highlighted the challenges faced by young people across the UK. Many reported feeling unsafe in their local areas, lacking accessible spaces to socialise, and experiencing ongoing pressures from the cost-of-living crisis. These factors contribute to feelings of isolation, often pushing young people online where they may encounter harmful content.
Lead the Change aims to address these challenges by supporting initiatives that foster meaningful youth participation, provide trusted facilitation, and create welcoming spaces for social connection. The programme emphasises empowering young people to lead conversations about the future of their communities, helping to repair social cohesion and build a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Halima Khan, Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, noted that young people are disproportionately affected by community unrest and division, yet they hold the potential to lead positive change. By investing in youth leadership, the initiative seeks not only to support young people but also to strengthen local communities across the UK.
