Generation Changemaker

Aiysha works for The Careers and Enterprise Company, the national body for careers education, where she champions young people's voices and supports them in building confidence and skills to pursue their chosen paths. Her own experience of feeling supported in school shaped her belief that every young person deserves access to opportunities to succeed. Previously, she managed the work experience program for younger years at South Bank University Academy. Aiysha is driven to ensure all young people have the tools and support they need to thrive.

Ella Grace is a proud working-class social entrepreneur and actress based in Blackpool, dedicated to creating equal opportunities for young people from marginalized backgrounds. She leads multiple social impact initiatives, including a community center, an affordable performing arts and well-being school, poverty outreach programs, and well-being projects in sports. As an advocate for social change, Ella Grace combines her creative talents and entrepreneurial spirit to address inequality and inspire others. Ella Grace is passionate about fostering equal opportunities for marginalised young people to thrive.

Euan is a passionate advocate for apprenticeships and their role in addressing youth unemployment. With over four years of experience at IBM, he has worked to highlight the value of alternative career pathways and promote opportunities for young people. His dedication stems from a belief in creating accessible, impactful solutions that empower the next generation. Through his work, he continues to champion apprenticeships as a vital tool for tackling youth unemployment.

Felix founded Politics Relaxed, an organisation that seeks to give young people a voice in politics through interviews, podcasts, documentaries and more. He has held politicians such as Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Brian Rose to account on behalf of young people through interviews. He has also worked with Genocide 80Twenty to raise awareness of Genocides, as well as youth advocacy work with My Life My Say and Edge Foundation. Felix believes tackling issues such as climate change and inequality can only be done with young people being involved in the decision making process.

Gracie Chick is the 21 year old co-creator of Third Dimension Education (3DE) - a campaign aiming to create spaces for the ‘third dimension’ of every child and young person to be nurtured in education and protected in policy. She believes that every human being has a body, a brain and a third dimension - whether you want to call it a soul, spirit, inner life, conscience, heart or common humanity - and that every child has a right to learn about and express it. Through public conversation and holding our systems accountable to their moral and legal duty to provide a balanced education, she believes that we can start to meet every child’s need for purpose, connection and meaning, and begin to heal the social crises we face. She is also passionate about storytelling and building community.

Holly is the founder of Kids Kicks, a social enterprise dedicated to making sport affordable, sustainable, and inclusive. Driven by a belief that no child should be priced out of play, Holly created Kids Kicks to recycle and revamp pre-loved football, rugby, and astro boots—giving them a second life while reducing waste and easing financial pressure on families.

Holly champions the power of sport to build confidence, connection, and opportunity. She is particularly committed to advancing women and girls in sport, using her platform to challenge barriers, highlight role models, and promote equal access to resources and participation.

Through Kids Kicks, Holly blends purpose with practicality, proving that innovation and social impact can go hand in hand. Her work continues to inspire communities to think greener, play harder, and support every child’s right to take part.

Ife is a dynamic leader dedicated to empowering individuals to unlock their potential and shape the future of work. Recognized as a Top 150 UK Future Leader by Powerlist Magazine in 2022, she delivers inspiring talks at events like the Labour Party Conference and Norway’s SHE Conference. Known for her forward-thinking approach, Ife mentors emerging leaders, champions authentic leadership, and advises on business growth strategies. Her work impacts the next generation of decision-makers both nationally and internationally.

Isaac is a filmmaker and curator of Congolese, Guadeloupean, and Welsh heritage, from London. His passion lies in visual storytelling that explores identity, community, and how this intersects with day-to-day life. He is dedicated to challenging dominant narratives and amplifying marginalised voices through visual storytelling and other artistic mediums. He is the co-founder of NCProductions, one of the key leaders behind Community Film Collective, and the founder of ShadesOf, a collective dedicated to creating safe spaces for young, emerging artists to exhibit their work.

Jay is an education activist passionate about making the education system more student focused. Since 2020, she has co-led participatory action research with States of Mind, contributing to the "Review for Progress and Development," an alternative to the OFSTED framework. Her work has been featured at venues like Eton College, the Rethinking Education Conference, and in a documentary capturing her team’s findings. Now studying Politics and Sociology at the University of Leicester, Jay continues to advocate for reimagining school evaluation and prioritizing student well-being.

Jonas is a multi-award-winning TEDx speaker, workshop facilitator, and host who empowers young people through engaging workshops, programs, and talks. Drawing on his own transformation story, he inspires others to unlock their potential and achieve their goals, no matter their background or circumstances. He currently works at London Youth as their Rise Up Programme Officer. When he’s not delivering dynamic content, Jonas enjoys playing basketball, meeting new people, watching football, or relaxing with salted caramel ice cream and his PlayStation.

Lily is the founding director of Be the change Media Network, a youth-led production company committed to ethical storytelling. She launched the network's flagship podcast in 2020 to amplify the voices of young changemakers during the Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, DC. Now with more than 270 episodes of her own podcast, Lily has grown Be the change Media Network to include 20+ podcasts and 30+ members, most of whom are under the age of 25. She is also developing a training programme to equip young people with media literacy, ethical storytelling, and production skills.

Lucia works on public affairs at Teach First, a charity aimed at tackling socio-economic disadvantage in schools. Prior to this, she advised on institutional campaigning and education policy at Cambridge Students’ Union, aiding progress on the likes of arms divestment, fossil free careers, and financial support for students. Lucia has also shared her perspectives on education issues through panels at the Labour Party Conference, Festival of Education, APPG for Social Mobility, and more, as well as in print and on live TV.

Megan is the Programme Manager at Schools for Tomorrow, driven by a passion for amplifying young people's voices in education and society. Having experienced firsthand how youth perspectives are often overlooked, she draws on her transformation through Schools for Tomorrow—from a disengaged student growing up in poverty to a dedicated advocate for change. This journey inspires her mission to create a more inclusive, responsive, and empowering education system. Megan is committed to shaping opportunities where young people’s experiences and ideas are truly valued.

Molly Taylor is a lived-experience changemaker. A survivor of child abuse, she has resisted injustice from an early age and, after her own voice was silenced in family court, became committed to amplifying the voices of others and ensuring all young people feel they belong. She believes in the power of every young person. Her why: to empower young people to own their lived experience. Her question: what’s yours?

She is studying International Children’s Rights, serves as Co-Chair of the #iwill Movement, represents the UK as an EU delegate on reimagining young people’s lives post-Brexit, and founded Youth Opportunities, a platform promoting fair and equitable opportunities for 10–25-year-olds.

Nathan is a Social Work student at Manchester Metropolitan University who is passionate about youth work, social justice, and creating systemic change through open dialogue and shared experiences. As an adoptee who has navigated both state and public education systems, he is dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and improving the structures that shape lives. Outside his studies, Nathan is a sports enthusiast—rugby, swimming, and kayaking among his favorites—and enjoys working on campaigns or staying informed on issues like climate change and public policy. He aspires to a career in community development and politics, contributing to meaningful, collaborative solutions that empower and transform communities.

Oghale is a Psychology and Philosophy graduate from the University of Oxford, now pursuing a Master’s in Law at The University of Law. Growing up in South London with limited access to higher education, she developed a passion for widening participation and increasing attainment. As an Alumni Ambassador for the Fair Education Alliance and member of their Board of Advisors, she continues to champion educational equity. Oghale has also volunteered with Universify Education and Target Oxbridge, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their academic potential.

Oluferanmi Balogun is a young changemaker passionate about creating safe and inspiring study spaces for young people affected by overcrowded and inadequate housing. Growing up in a two bedroom flat with limited room to study, she experienced firsthand how the lack of space can impact a young person’s education and wellbeing. This inspired her to found Room Too, which transforms overlooked and underused spaces into tailored study hubs for young people through partnerships with schools, businesses, and local authorities. Alongside leading Room Too, Olu has been involved in youth advocacy and peer research. In 2025, she was selected as a finalist for The Conduit Young Innovator Awards in recognition of her work. Olu is tackling one of the root causes of educational inequality while empowering young people to dream beyond their circumstances - because space should never be a barrier to potential.

Phoebe is a medical student at Hull York Medical School and a passionate leader dedicated to inspiring positive change. She serves on the University of York’s Student Expert Panel, advocating for inclusivity in higher education and presenting at conferences like Future Forward and Next Generation Assessment. As the founder of the award-winning Middle Ground York series, she fosters open dialogue and education. Her leadership in organizing the university’s first Multicultural Fashion Exhibition earned international acclaim.

Ridhka is a degree apprentice studying economics while working at the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Drawing from her own experiences of low social mobility, she is passionate about equality and ensuring equal access to higher education and opportunities regardless of background. She collaborates with various higher education organisations to support their initiatives and raise awareness of different routes into higher education. Alongside this, she is developing her own social initiative for young people around mental health. Ridhka is driven by the belief that all young people deserve a say in the issues that affect them and that there should be a level playing field for everyone, regardless of their access to opportunities. She aspires to pursue a career that's focused on helping others and driving positive change.

Taha is a first-generation student at Dartmouth College, passionate about diplomacy, conflict resolution, and driving change at the intersection of public policy and social justice. Having experienced educational inequality firsthand, he is dedicated to addressing disparities and amplifying underrepresented voices. Alongside his academic pursuits, Taha has led international teams in marketing and advocacy, working with organizations like Human Appeal and the PalCollective. His commitment to youth leadership and activism has earned him roles on advisory boards like the London Wildlife Trust and Action for Race Equality, where he continues to champion systemic transformation.

Wren is a student at the London Interdisciplinary School, driven by a passion for addressing educational inequality through initiatives like volunteering with Debate Mate. Beyond their studies, they are an avid reader and always ready with a thoughtful book recommendation. With a keen interest in fostering dialogue and equitable learning, Wren seeks creative ways to inspire change and combine knowledge with action to make education more accessible for all.

Mirriam is fostering inclusion, empathy, and anti-racism in her school community. She founded United for Change at her school in Worcester to tackle racism and promote kindness. Working with senior leaders and a small team of students, she organises events like Diversity Fairs, Colour Runs, and bake sales, alongside publishing daily bulletins with educational games and facts. Her initiative equips students to understand and celebrate diversity while raising awareness of wider community issues. United for Change has transformed school culture, reaching hundreds of students and inspiring pride, empathy, and collaboration, with plans to expand its impact to younger learners in local primary schools. The initiative began after Mirriam witnessed a friend face racial discrimination, sparking her determination to create change.

Lewis is challenging social media addiction and enabling young people to reclaim their digital wellbeing. He founded Reel It In to tackle social media addiction and reshape how young people engage online. Inspired by his experiences with youth-led journalism and a censored speech to government ministers in 2024, he aims to influence policy and raise awareness globally. His initiative combines legislative lobbying with Project R, a digital campaign set to reach 10 million young people annually, equipping them to resist addictive platform design. Lewis works collaboratively with peers, partners, and policymakers, creating a youth-driven movement for healthier digital habits and long-term social impact.

Tai’bat is using film, art, and storytelling to uncover untold Black British histories and spark narrative change. She is creating Where We Land, a documentary series exploring the legacy of African and Caribbean migration through place, memory, and identity. Blending oral history, geography, and the arts, her project makes overlooked histories accessible, emotional, and relevant for a new generation. A storyteller and filmmaker, Tai’bat’s passion for advocacy began in secondary school, where she performed spoken word to share the experiences of being a Black girl in the UK. Growing up in Essex in the early 2010s, she often felt misrepresented and misunderstood, which inspired her commitment to telling these stories.

Safa is creating safe, empowering spaces for young migrants to share their stories and be heard. She co-founded One Voice, Many Stories in 2024, delivering workshops and community events that give refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants a platform to express themselves. By combining art, storytelling, and dialogue, her initiative fosters empathy, belonging, and confidence. Since becoming independent in 2025, the project has engaged over 100 young people and adults, helping them feel seen, heard, and proud of their identities. Safa’s drive to create this initiative comes from her own experience growing up as a refugee in Greater Manchester, where she saw firsthand how young migrants are often misunderstood or overlooked.

Scarlett is tackling homelessness by creating new pathways for families trapped in temporary accommodation to access secure, permanent homes. At 15, she launched Mission: HOME, a grassroots campaign in Brighton and Hove working with the local council to identify small unused plots of council-owned land, known as microsites, that could be developed into social housing. Her campaign is already supporting a planning application for four new homes in Woodingdean, with hopes that this first project can become a model for wider change. Scarlett’s work brings together public support, local government, and community awareness to show that unused land can become part of the solution to the housing crisis. She has been committed to tackling homelessness since childhood, raising more than £10,000 for local charities after first noticing people sleeping rough in Brighton and Hove. Mission: HOME began after she heard from families living for years in unsafe temporary accommodation, sparking her determination to help create homes where children and parents can live with dignity.