To coincide with #iwill Week, Foundation 92 is unveiling new opportunities for young people aged 11 to 16 to get involved with social action projects that will encourage intergenerational connections whilst making a difference in their community.
This 12-month youth-led Community Ambassador Programme will offer opportunities to develop new skills and build confidence, bringing older and younger residents together to collaborate on initiatives to tackle local issues, and explore ways to create more connected communities across generations.
Projects delivered last year by other Community Ambassador groups include intergenerational sessions in care homes, the creation of a wheelchair accessible beach boardwalk, and a community fun day with activities designed for all ages to bring local people together.
The first stage of Foundation 92’s project will be working with local residents, both young and old, to identify challenges facing the community before agreeing ways to make improvements.
Funding has been provided by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, as well as Places for People and Sovereign Network Group. Additional support has been provided by the #iwill Fund, made possible by a £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.
Organised by the #iwill Movement and taking place from 18-22 November, #iwill Week is a celebration of the incredible work young people are doing across the UK to improve their lives and communities through social action.
Foundation 92 was founded in 2018 by The Class of ’92, and is the Official Charity of Salford City Football Club. Using the power of sport and education to bring communities together. Providing opportunities, inspiring one another and helping Salford and Greater Manchester to thrive.
Jess Peers, Head of Youth Programmes at Foundation 92, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this great initiative alongside Clarion Futures, supporting inter-generational work across the city of Salford. We can’t wait to get started and support young people across the city, to tackle local issues.”
Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, said:
“We’re excited to be teaming up with Foundation 92 on this new phase of our long-running youth social action programme which focuses on changing perceptions. Working alongside trusted partners who are deeply rooted in their communities, through early engagement with social action we hope that this programme will help create a habit for life for young residents.
“Collaboration between generations has been shown to have such positive effects, and so this remains at the heart of the programme, with projects designed to bring people together to tackle shared challenges.”
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to set up intergenerational social action programmes, giving young people the opportunity to make a difference in their communities through the design and delivery of projects, events, workshops and activities.
To find out more and apply for a grant, email [email protected].