About us

ABOUT US

Vision

A country where youth leads – young people feel listened to, part of their communities, and ready to make change through skills development opportunities.

Mission

Youth Leads supports young people aged 12-25 to enrich their skills, reach their potential, and influence change. We do this through peer-led programmes of volunteering, social action projects, and learning experiences, and by amplifying the voice of young people with key decision makers.

OUR VALUES

  • Fun icon

    FUN

    We provide energised activities, opportunities for social inclusion & support networks through new friendships.

  • Stars

    BOLD

    We’re not afraid to take risks.

  • Community icon

    COMMUNITY

    Working in partnership to inspire civic pride and support young people to develop as world class citizens.

  • Empowering icon

    EMPOWERING

    Facilitating opportunities – with beneficiaries at the heart of decision making – to create lasting change through co-designed projects.

  • Aspirational icon

    ASPIRATIONAL

    Helping and supporting young people to be the best they can be.

STRATEGIC AIMS

  • aim img1
    Skills Enrichment

    We immerse young people into new and challenging environments enabling them to develop and learn new skills through:

    • Industry Insight sessions led by employers
    • Youth-led training sessions on life skills
    • Work experience opportunities
    • Mentorship
    • Publishing Xplode Magazine
  • Self Empowering Potential
    Self-Empowering Potential

    We enable young people to develop through increased responsibility, opportunities and recognition. We do this through: youth-led projects, co-design and pathways to progress into senior roles.

    • Quarterly Youth-Led Social Action projects
    • Co-design of all of our activities
    • Dedicated Trustee roles on our Board for young people
    • Advertising staff roles to volunteers first
  • Influencing Change
    Influencing Change

    We help to influence decision making across society through elevated youth voice opportunities. We work tirelessly to improve perceptions of young people, challenge decision makers and board representation through:

    • Youth focused consultations
    • Publishing positive stories of young people
    • Supporting young people to become Trustees and School Governors
    • Taking part in the Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority involving policy scrutiny, challenge and support to the Mayor of Greater Manchester

GOVERNANCE

Youth Leads UK is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.

You can view the charity’s annual reports and financial information on the Charity Commission website.

OUR TEAM

  • Saimah Malji
    Saimah Malji

    Chair

  • Saeed Atcha
    Saeed Atcha

    CEO

  • Adam Toorawa
    Adam Toorawa

    Vice-Chair

  • Khalil Malji
    Khalil Malji

    Treasurer

  • Lydia German
    Lydia German

    Trustee

  • Chloe Bennett
    Chloe Bennett

    Trustee

  • Mehran Mokri
    Mehran Mokri

    COO

  • Zahra Khan
    Zahra Khan

    Governance & Finance

  • Lucy Dunkerley
    Lucy Dunkerley

    Youth Engagement

  • Bethany Peel
    Bethany Peel

    Youth Engagement

  • Abeer Abdul Aziz
    Abeer Abdul Aziz

    Youth Engagement

DOCUMENTS

If you’re looking for our Annual Report or any of our policy documents, then you’re in the right place. Select the file you need from the dropdown and click download.

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