CB Plus has launched Thriving Change Makers, a three-year programme funded by the #iwill Fund, giving young people across Barnet, Enfield and Brent the skills, spaces and pathways to design and lead social action in their own communities.
Running from 2026 to 2029, the programme will directly engage 150 young people aged 14 to 20 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), with the aim of benefiting more than 1,000 community members and strengthening 20 local organisations to embed youth voice in their own work.
The programme responds directly to what young people told CB Plus through its Young People Thrive service: that they wanted more than to be consulted on decisions that affect them, they wanted to help make those decisions. Thriving Change Makers has been designed to answer that call, moving young people from voice to influence.
Across Barnet, Enfield and Brent, the programme will establish Youth Social Action Hubs, local spaces and networks where young people can:
• Build leadership, communication, governance, budgeting and project planning skills
• Design and deliver their own Social Action Labs, projects and campaigns
• Access pathways into ambassador roles, advisory spaces and trustee shadowing, including at least one seat on the CB Plus board
• Take part in annual youth-led roundtables with local partners and decision-makers
The programme particularly welcomes young people who are Black or from a minority ethnic background, neurodivergent, disabled, from low-income households, care-experienced, young carers, or new to social action.
Katy Lewis, CEO of CB Plus, said: “Thriving Change Makers helps young people move beyond simply being consulted, giving them real opportunities to design projects, lead activity, influence decisions and take on leadership and governance roles across Barnet, Enfield and Brent. It builds really nicely on the work and learning from Young People Thrive, and feels very aligned to who we are as CB Plus: connecting communities, strengthening voice and creating opportunities for people.”
Sue Ormiston, Head of Funding for the #iwill Fund at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Every young person should have the opportunity to explore their interests, create experiences that matter to them and shape their future. That’s exactly what the #iwill Fund does – helping to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for young people to lead social action projects on the issues they care most about. We are guided by young people’s voices, ideas and creativity, enabling them to build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”
About CB Plus
CB Plus (CommUNITY Barnet, registered charity 1071035) is a multi-borough London charity delivering direct community support and wellbeing services across Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Newham and other boroughs. Website: https://cbplus.org.uk/. Media enquiries: CB Plus Comms Team, comms@cbplus.org.uk.
About the #iwill Fund
The #iwill Fund was originally set up through a joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to support young people to access high-quality social action opportunities. This round is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Social action includes activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, enabling young people to make a positive difference in their communities while developing their own skills and knowledge.
The #iwill Fund brings together funders from different sectors, and makes sure young people have a say in where the funding goes.
Media contact, The National Lottery Community Fund
Press Office, The National Lottery Community Fund: pressoffice@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk / 020 7211 1888 (out of hours: 07867 500572).
