We were awarded funding from the UK’s Government’s Uniformed Youth Fund in 2023.
The fund was aimed at helping more young people aged 10-18 access regular, positive activities to support their wellbeing, give them opportunities to develop vital skills for life and empower them to be active members of their local community.
We are delighted by the investment and the recognition in the value of our work with young people today.
The funding has allowed us to establish a number of new Companies across the country – meaning we have welcomed 234 new children and young people and 118 new leaders into the organisation. We have also been able to support existing Companies to grow through Building Stronger.
This new initiative was aimed at continuing to build on the quality and consistency of our work and reaching more young people – specifically recruiting five or more new members aged 10-18 years (the age group focus for the funding).
We challenged Companies to consider if there are one or more areas where they could become stronger – like focussing on improving the programme they offered, building their relationships with their Church, or being more visible in their local community.
Companies also received a small grant which could be used to support anything related to improving what they offer children and young people, this has helped support camps, days out and renewing equipment.
Through Building Stronger…
Overall the project has been a great success for us. It’s highlighted key areas for us that needed improvement that we were not initially aware of. We can provide a more rounded programme due to planning more in advance. It has also boosted our confidence and given us reinsurance that we are providing a good service.”
Andres Senior, 59th Birmingham
There is still an opportunity to involved in the Building Stronger initiative during the 2025/26 session.