iREPresent, in Leicester, has been awarded £123,353 over three years by Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation through Lead the Change, a funding programme supporting young people to build stronger, more connected communities.
A total of £2.6 million has been awarded to 21organisations across the UK to support local projects that will empower young people to build stronger connections within their communities, address division and drive positive social change.
The 21 youth-led projects were selected by a panel of 10 young grant-makers, aged 19-25, from across the UK, bringing a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences to the decision-making process.
The newly funded organisations will work alongside young people to create safe and inclusive spaces, support youth-led social action, build leadership skills, and encourage meaningful participation in community life. Through workshops, mentoring, community projects, and opportunities to influence decision-making, young people will be empowered to challenge harmful narratives, strengthen positive relationships, and drive change in their local communities.
The funding to Leicester will enable iREPresent to deliver the MOVE (Movement-led, Organising, Voice and Engagement) programme, led by young people supporting the City’s youths to get involved, to volunteer and build confidence with the aim of challenging negative and harmful narratives, strengthening belonging and leading to positive change in their communities. Activities include volunteering at local food banks, litter picking and improving how local spaces look and feel, celebrating the diversity of everything Leicester has to offer. The programme has been designed by young people, and this what two young volunteers had to say about receiving the grant funding:
“As someone who grew up watching BBC Children in Need, to now be part of an organisation receiving their funding is a massive honour. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come in such a short space of time and gives us the means to continue building, growing and investing in our young people in Leicester. Leicester is a city like no other, shaped by its incredible diversity of cultures and communities. With the support of BBC Children in Need, our young people can continue to turn their ideas into action, strengthen their communities and shape a brighter future for their city”.
Sana Owen, organiser for the girls activity, including youth led foodbank
“Older generations know the world that was. The youth know the world that is. Because for them, this isn’t a changing world. It’s the only world they’ve ever known. Those who will live longest with the consequences of today’s decisions should have a greater hand in making them”.
Rhys Lintern, peer leader (leads schools partnerships and litter picks)
Lead the Change is delivered in partnership with BBC Children in Need, 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.
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For more information please contact: Debs McCahon, Grants Manager debs.mccahon@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk 07543 674004
Notes to Editors
About Lead the Change:
Lead the Change is a £3.5 million, three-year initiative to support young people to build stronger communities across the UK, funded by BBC Children in Need, Co-op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and the #iwill Fund by The National Lottery Community Fund. Focused on investing in the strengths and leadership of young people, the fund aims to support the provision of safe, supportive spaces where young people can come together to share experiences, build positive relationships, and take the lead in starting dialogues around building stronger community relationships. Young people also play a central role in funding decisions through a dedicated youth panel, as well as in the evaluation of the programme.
About iREPresent:
As a Community Interest Company, iRepresent is dedicated to empowering underserved and marginalised communities through youth leadership, community organising, social action, arts, culture and storytelling. It works with young people and families from diverse ethnic, faith and migrant backgrounds, particularly those affected by racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, harmful narratives and social exclusion.
Through youth-led social action, media, intergenerational organising and creative storytelling, iRepresent creates platforms where diverse voices can be heard, celebrated and connected. This helps young people build confidence, develop leadership, challenge stereotypes and address local issues constructively while contributing to stronger and more cohesive communities.
A key focus of the organisation is supporting young people to become active participants and changemakers within their communities. Through leadership development, mentoring, volunteering, creative expression, skills-building and civic participation, young people are supported to grow in confidence, develop new skills and take visible leadership roles. Creative media and digital platforms, including podcasts, radio and storytelling projects, are used to amplify community voices, strengthen representation and promote positive narrative change.
About Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation:
The Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation works with individual donors, companies, local and national funders to support the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to thrive. Distributing c£1,500,000 in 2025, the Community Foundation supports a broad range of organisations from local village halls, employment readiness programmes and groups tackling rural isolation.
To find out more visit https://www.llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk/
About BBC Children in Need:
BBC Children in Need believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be.
BBC Children in Need’s ambition is to create lasting, positive change across the UK for the children and young people who need it most. Together with the BBC and partners, BBC Children in Need aim to inspire the nation in support of their work.
BBC Children in Need’s 1,500 local charities and projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK to help children & young people overcome the additional challenges they currently face, including supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.
About UK Community Foundations:
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) is the national membership organisation for 47 accredited community foundations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, serving every UK postcode.
Community foundations are deeply rooted in their places, connecting people who care with the causes that matter most. Using local knowledge and trusted relationships, they inspire place-based philanthropy and transform private wealth and other funding into lasting community resources.
Together, community foundations invest more than £170 million each year into grassroots groups and organisations tackling the UK’s most pressing challenges.
At a national level, UKCF works with strategic partners to pilot innovative neighbourhood approaches and scale proven solutions, ensuring resources reach the people and communities that need them most.
