By Delphine Herman – Programme & Engagement Manager, Church Street Ward

Over the past year at Young Westminster Foundation, I’ve had the opportunity to lead meaningful work that directly engages young people, strengthens local partnerships, and drives community-led change in Church Street.

One highlight was the Sports and Development Day, where I facilitated an impact mapping activity with young people. Through open dialogue, they shared honest views on Church Street, what they love, their challenges, and the changes they’d like to see. This session helped set the tone for a year centred on youth voice and co-creation.

A key part of my role involved managing the Church Street Community Fund. I worked closely with applicants, many of them young or new to community organising, to shape their ideas into deliverable projects. I supported them with applications, budgets, marketing, and project planning. I also helped facilitate relationships between local organisations to build a more collaborative ecosystem. As a result, £25,000 in funding was distributed to five local projects: MBS, Khady’s Dream, Happy Families, DJ Journey, and Mosaic Community Trust.

Following the fund, I engaged with Mount Anvil to highlight the existing youth provision in Church Street that could benefit from future investment. I met with each local organisation to understand their capacity, vision, and what they could deliver through new funding. This led to a second round of strategic collaboration, where I helped connect and coordinate seven local organisations, guiding them to work collectively, share resources, and strengthen their delivery models.

Throughout the year, I’ve seen the importance of relationship-building between funders, delivery partners, and young people. My focus has been on unlocking potential within the community, not just through financial investment, but through capacity-building, guidance, and a shared belief in what local people can achieve.