Stronger connections for thriving UK places

So everyone thrives in a fairer, greener future

We work with communities, organisations and policymakers to drive positive change in local places

Everyone in the UK should benefit from accessible opportunities in their neighbourhood

Everyone should have a say in changes that affect their life and community

So everyone thrives in a fairer, greener future

We work with communities, organisations and policymakers to drive positive change in local places

Everyone in the UK should benefit from accessible opportunities in their neighbourhood

Everyone should have a say in changes that affect their life and community

So everyone thrives in a fairer, greener future

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Our place-based programmes

Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG

Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.

15-minute neighbourhoods

What do residents want and need? We worked with local communities to identify what they feel should be accessible on their doorstep.

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

Community Research Networks

This programme is a two-phase funding opportunity, putting community networks at the heart of research.

Community Knowledge Fund

The Community Knowledge Fund supports communities to play a stronger role in research and innovation.

Campaign for community power

Supporting better-connected, stronger communities, The Young Foundation is proud to be part of We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power.

Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG

Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.

15-minute neighbourhoods

What do residents want and need? We worked with local communities to identify what they feel should be accessible on their doorstep.

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

Community Research Networks

This programme is a two-phase funding opportunity, putting community networks at the heart of research.

Community Knowledge Fund

The Community Knowledge Fund supports communities to play a stronger role in research and innovation.

Campaign for community power

Supporting better-connected, stronger communities, The Young Foundation is proud to be part of We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power.

Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG

Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.

15-minute neighbourhoods

What do residents want and need? We worked with local communities to identify what they feel should be accessible on their doorstep.

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Community participation in local change

Previous

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

With a new £1.9m award from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’re building on our recent work in the Luton area, working with local communities to help overcome social, economic, and environmental challenges.  

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife.

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

Resident-led change in Buckskin and South Ham

This community-led research project gathered insights into local residents’ experiences and priorities for change, resulting in positive impact that continues to benefit local people.

South Ham and Buckskin

Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’

Our new collaborative initiative aims to accelerate a fairer and more inclusive future for West Midlands communities

Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’

Community collaboration in Hounslow

We are working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

Community collaboration in Hounslow

Powering sustainable London homes

This project with the London Sustainable Development Commission and residents in London explores ideas to make homes more energy-efficient and cost-effective for all.

Powering sustainable London homes

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

The Young Foundation is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

With a new £1.9m award from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’re building on our recent work in the Luton area, working with local communities to help overcome social, economic, and environmental challenges.  

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife.

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

Resident-led change in Buckskin and South Ham

This community-led research project gathered insights into local residents’ experiences and priorities for change, resulting in positive impact that continues to benefit local people.

South Ham and Buckskin

Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’

Our new collaborative initiative aims to accelerate a fairer and more inclusive future for West Midlands communities

Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’

Community collaboration in Hounslow

We are working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

Community collaboration in Hounslow

Powering sustainable London homes

This project with the London Sustainable Development Commission and residents in London explores ideas to make homes more energy-efficient and cost-effective for all.

Powering sustainable London homes

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

The Young Foundation is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

With a new £1.9m award from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’re building on our recent work in the Luton area, working with local communities to help overcome social, economic, and environmental challenges.  

Creating ‘a town built on fairness’

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife.

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

Resident-led change in Buckskin and South Ham

This community-led research project gathered insights into local residents’ experiences and priorities for change, resulting in positive impact that continues to benefit local people.

South Ham and Buckskin

Next

Thought leadership

‘With true collaboration, people can shape the places they live’ 

What’s on your doorstep? Helen Goulden welcomes the 15-Minute Neighbourhood concept, helping communities access the services and amenities they feel are important.

‘The infrastructure of opportunity’

Responding to Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister, Helen Goulden says government must work collaboratively towards a productive, caring and just society.

‘A chance to rewrite the rulebook and govern differently’

Could this General Election deliver deep change in our political systems, and power a collaborative, community-powered future?

‘We face challenging times – but the solutions are available to us all’

As we launch into a turbulent and troubled 2025, our CEO Helen Goulden says The Young Foundation’s vision for a better-connected and fairer society is as vital as ever.

‘A movement of hope, a movement of neighbours’

When communities feel powerless, apathy breeds. Al Mathers, Leonie Taylor and Jack Layton call for greater resources and time to ensure people can have ongoing, active roles in shaping their homes and neighbourhoods.

‘Research and innovation are about hope and empowerment’

At our Community Research Networks Away Days, Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), shared a vision for a more ‘open and inclusive’ future.

‘With true collaboration, people can shape the places they live’ 

What’s on your doorstep? Helen Goulden welcomes the 15-Minute Neighbourhood concept, helping communities access the services and amenities they feel are important.

‘The infrastructure of opportunity’

Responding to Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister, Helen Goulden says government must work collaboratively towards a productive, caring and just society.

‘A chance to rewrite the rulebook and govern differently’

Could this General Election deliver deep change in our political systems, and power a collaborative, community-powered future?

‘We face challenging times – but the solutions are available to us all’

As we launch into a turbulent and troubled 2025, our CEO Helen Goulden says The Young Foundation’s vision for a better-connected and fairer society is as vital as ever.

‘A movement of hope, a movement of neighbours’

When communities feel powerless, apathy breeds. Al Mathers, Leonie Taylor and Jack Layton call for greater resources and time to ensure people can have ongoing, active roles in shaping their homes and neighbourhoods.

‘Research and innovation are about hope and empowerment’

At our Community Research Networks Away Days, Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), shared a vision for a more ‘open and inclusive’ future.

‘With true collaboration, people can shape the places they live’ 

What’s on your doorstep? Helen Goulden welcomes the 15-Minute Neighbourhood concept, helping communities access the services and amenities they feel are important.

‘The infrastructure of opportunity’

Responding to Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister, Helen Goulden says government must work collaboratively towards a productive, caring and just society.

‘A chance to rewrite the rulebook and govern differently’

Could this General Election deliver deep change in our political systems, and power a collaborative, community-powered future?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

Social change

Dear Future MPs, We’re Right Here

Watch the We’re Right Here campaign video, where community leaders Andy, Hannah and Josiah hit the streets to tell a different story about leadership, representation and power this general election season.

‘A community space, a pub, and better lighting in public spaces’

What do communities need? Leonie Taylor reflects on the realities of engaging local people in planning strategies and highlights the importance of peer research as a driver for change.

‘A conversation not a concept’  

Siân Whyte shares three ways to ensure the 15-minute neighbourhood concept is location-specific, and works for both residents and councils.

Our spokespeople

Previous

Isabella Pereira

Isabella is a qualitative and mixed methods expert with more than 15 years’ experience in researching vulnerable audiences.

Isabella Pereira

Siân Whyte

Siân oversees a portfolio of research and design projects, and specialises in participatory research, strategic design and creative approaches.

Siân Whyte

Daniel Farag

Dan leads our practical social change and innovation work with communities, public systems, and social enterprises.

Dan Farag

Helen Goulden OBE

Helen, CEO of The Young Foundation, leads our multi-disciplinary team of researchers and innovators to support stronger communities across the UK.

Helen Goulden OBE

Isabella Pereira

Isabella is a qualitative and mixed methods expert with more than 15 years’ experience in researching vulnerable audiences.

Isabella Pereira

Siân Whyte

Siân oversees a portfolio of research and design projects, and specialises in participatory research, strategic design and creative approaches.

Siân Whyte

Daniel Farag

Dan leads our practical social change and innovation work with communities, public systems, and social enterprises.

Dan Farag

Helen Goulden OBE

Helen, CEO of The Young Foundation, leads our multi-disciplinary team of researchers and innovators to support stronger communities across the UK.

Helen Goulden OBE

Isabella Pereira

Isabella is a qualitative and mixed methods expert with more than 15 years’ experience in researching vulnerable audiences.

Isabella Pereira

Siân Whyte

Siân oversees a portfolio of research and design projects, and specialises in participatory research, strategic design and creative approaches.

Siân Whyte

Daniel Farag

Dan leads our practical social change and innovation work with communities, public systems, and social enterprises.

Dan Farag

Next

Our vision for change

The Power of Participation: our vision 2024-28

Embracing the spirit of our founder, Michael Young, our five-year strategy, The Power of Participation, shares our vision to redesign the social contract between people, communities, state and business and shape a fairer, greener future.

Rewriting the rulebook

This policy brief outlines The Young Foundation’s vision for enhancing social participation in mission-based government.