Listening and Taking Action

Out of the ashes of chaos young people are using their voices to shout about how things can be done better. How the impossibility of circumstance can lead to a new future, one where change is led by those who can see the world with fresh ‘hopeful’ eyes.

“Be the change you want to see in the world”

As 2020 draws to a close it is impossible not to reflect on the effects of the pandemic on young people across the UK, with the inevitability of further cuts to core support services, new challenges around employment and mental health issues amongst a host of obstacles that lie ahead for many people in our communities.

Through Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, we have worked hard in recent years to shape services that have young people at the heart, exploring models and programmes that provide opportunities for our young residents to have a voice. Our National and Community Ambassador Programmes have equipped young people with the skills to identify opportunities and challenges in their communities, share their ideas on creating change and then given them the space to make them a reality.

With over 950 young people delivering Youth Social Action within our communities over the last three years, we are passionate about inspiring other Housing and Youth partners to embed youth-led action approaches.

Over the next year we are embarking on a new phase of our programmes. Working with The Commonwealth Society, as long as coronavirus restrictions allow, in spring 2021 we will be bringing together ambassadors from across the globe to explore new projects around the themes of hope and peace. Collaborating to find common stories and ideas, we want to encourage our international ambassadors to take global perspectives on hope to a national and then local level.

Sarah Mitton – Age Friendly Communities Manager