Our Youth Co-operative Action London project, run in partnership with 7PK, has seen a group of nine young people work together to create an inspirational programme of events focused on equipping young people with the skills they need to create change in their own lives and their communities.

Running from 28 July to 5 August, the event programme covered a wide range of topics including CV writing, Youth Safety, and Money Management and will culminate in a careers fair taking place on 15 September. 

About Youth Co-operative Action

YCA London is supported by the Les Stannard Fund - and is an offshoot of a larger national Co-operative College YCA programme supported by the Co-op Foundation’s #iwill Fund, which is delivered in towns and cities across England. Each cohort of Youth Co-operative Action is encouraged to think collaboratively to solve problems in their community and understand the real power of their voice. Empowered with the skills, knowledge and platform to tell their story, they work together cooperatively to inspire real, meaningful change. 

Through taking part in the scheme, all those involved have learnt new skills, met new people and had fun. Focused on teamwork, problem solving, and community engagement, participants have gained the confidence to tackle the issues that matter to them, such as loneliness, highlighted as a key issue amongst young people and emphasised using the projects hashtag #TogetherNotAlone.

It has been a privilege to see this highly focused and motivated group of young cooperators take ownership of the project and run with it like never before. From individual and collective growth, to identifying social needs and developing a renewed engagement in their local community, this cohort has been inspirational in their commitment and passion for collaborative, co-operative social action.

Daniel Cox, Project Manager, Co-operative College

To think that in just a few months, a group of young people who did not know one another, admitted to never seeing themselves as leaders and never felt connected to community in their local area are working together so effortlessly and now taking it upon themselves to create vital opportunities for their peers is mindblowing. Credit to the college for opening this door that has allowed these young people to not only develop personally, but also develop critical skills, experiences and relationships that will benefit them in their lives and careers whilst helping them transform society.

Louis Howell, Founder and Director, 7PK

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