Today, BBC Children in Need, in partnership with 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 have announced the launch of Lead the Change. This new £3,400,000 three-year initiative aims to empower young people to play a leading role in fostering understanding and strengthening relationships within communities.
A growing body of UK research shows that young people are among those most affected by social fragmentation and polarisation. Studies find that young people feel increasingly disconnected from one another, less heard by decision makers, and more cautious about expressing their views, particularly online, where exposure to polarising and harmful content can be widespread (The Good Side & 2CV, 20251; Youth Endowment Fund, 20242).
These concerns were reinforced by research commissioned by Lead the Change funders with young people living in communities affected by unrest. In interviews conducted by More in Common, young people said they increasingly feel unsafe where they live and lack accessible, welcoming spaces to meet friends. Many also spoke about the lasting pressures of the cost-of-living crisis on their wellbeing and opportunities. Together, these challenges are deepening feelings of isolation, pushing young people to spend more time socialising online – where they are sometimes exposed to harmful content. Collectively, the evidence highlights an urgent need for investment in youth spaces, trusted facilitation and genuine youth participation – critical ingredients for repairing and strengthening social cohesion.
Recognising the urgent need to rebuild trust, foster understanding and create a shared sense of belonging, Lead the Change is aimed at strengthening community connection among young people. At its core, this programme is not just about investment – it’s about transformation. By amplifying youth voices and nurturing leadership, the programme is investing in a more connected, compassionate and inclusive future for all.
In Leicester, The Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Community Foundation will deliver Lead the Change. It will support organisations working with young people to provide safe spaces where young people can come together to share experiences, build positive relationships and take the lead in building stronger communities. The programme will develop young people’s strengths and leadership through workshops, mentoring and community-led projects. They will be equipped with new skills and knowledge to address misinformation and tackle the harmful narratives leading to division in their everyday lives and on social media.
Lead the Change will shift power to young people to address the root causes of division, and contribute to a greater sense of belonging, connection and resilience. This extends to giving young people a significant voice in governance, through a designated youth panel, to play a central role in decision making and ultimately make the final funding recommendations for Board approval.
Fozia Irfan OBE, Interim Chief Officer for Children and Families at BBC Children in Need, said: “We believe that it is vital that young people are empowered to lead conversations around the future of their communities and the divisions they face. Through this initiative we hope to provide the tools and platforms to support young people to address these issues. We are not just investing in their future; we are investing in a more inclusive and compassionate society with young people leading the way.
This work has only been made possible through collaborating with other funders who share a commitment to youth voice and community empowerment. By coming together, we have been able to work towards ambitious, long-term efforts that would not be possible to achieve alone. Working in partnership strengthens our possible impact but it also reflects the very values of connection and cooperation that we hope to foster through this work.”
For more information on the fund, visit https://www.llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk/lead-the-change-opens-1st-april/.
