Young Westminster Foundation is delighted to announce 32 new grants awarded for the latest round of Brighter Futures Grant funding.
From sports and music, to youth clubs, storytelling, mentoring and wellbeing, these initiatives will inspire, empower, and connect communities, building the confidence and skills of young people.
“We are very grateful to the Brighter Futures Fund donors – thank you all! This year we saw a record number of high-quality funding applications from organisations working with children and young people in Westminster, which reflects the huge need for this kind of work. These grants will really make a difference: giving children and young people access to spaces where they can feel safe and welcomed, connect with friends, grow their confidence, learn new skills and have fun.”
Helen Mann, CEO of Young Westminster Foundation
With Brighter Futures now in its seventh year we know really well what amazing impacts these grants will have on young lives. To find out more you can take a look at the Brighter Futures Fund 2024 evaluation report, which is packed with insights, data and case studies.
Our partners and donors
Brighter Futures grants are funded by Westminster City Council with contributions from The Aziz Foundation, Berkeley Estate Asset Management, Capital Arches Group, Church Street Partnership (Mount Anvil and Westminster City Council), Cordet, Derwent London, Eyre Estate, FM Conway, GPE, Global Holdings, Howard de Walden Estate, Lazari Investments, London Town Group, The Other House, Pentland Group, Shaftesbury Capital, St Giles and St George and Veolia.
We are so pleased to have this fantastic group of funders with our local authority, businesses and grantmakers all coming together to make an important difference to young lives.
Sarah Newman, Executive Director of Children’s Services in Westminster and RBKC told us:
“I am delighted that Westminster City Council has been able to continue supporting the Brighter Futures Fund grants round, and to see strong funding support from local businesses and charities alongside our contribution. Working together we’ve been able to fund 32 fantastic projects for children and young people locally. This funding will deliver opportunities for learning and play, growing skills and building confidence. It strengthens the vibrant youth and children’s sector and the relationships between voluntary sector and council Early Help teams in Westminster, who work so hard to nurture and support young people.”
There is a huge and ongoing need for work like this to support young people in Westminster. This year’s we saw a record number of applications from 70 organisations, with over £1 million requested in total. YWF are keen to grow our funding so that we can offer more support and help to meet more local needs in the future.
If you or your organisation might be able to offer funding to Brighter Futures please contact zahid@youngwestminster.com
What we’re funding in 2026
This year’s grants are enabling a huge variety of opportunities that will build confidence, support new skills, connection and inspire children and young people in Westminster…
Sports initiatives include boxing, basketball, football and cricket. With inclusive support for young people with SEND, and initiatives that focus on building skills and confidence for girls, offered alongside sessions that improve fitness, while empowering and building teamwork.
When art and creativity take centre stage, young people will be devising musicals and films, and enjoying imaginative journeys through storytelling projects that explore local heritage. Music ranges from activities for pre-school children through to a community choir and orchestral training. Grants are also supporting young chef courses for budding cooks and Bollywood dance classes.
Wellbeing-focused activities and clubs will also play a vital role: offering spaces for inclusion, supporting young people to connect, get support and strengthen belonging.
Together, these and the many other projects funded, reflect the commitment of Young Westminster Foundation and the partners and donors contributing to investing in brighter futures for all young people in Westminster.
Grants awarded: 2026
The YWF Members who have been awarded Brighter Futures funding for the coming year are:
- Adventure Play Hub
Play Provision for children and young people with SEND.
- North Paddington Youth Club
Supporting young people from local youth organisations to gain driving licenses, improving independence and access to jobs and apprenticeships.
- Treasure Sports Club
After-school boxing classes for children and young people.
- TheCOLAB ltd
Artist-led workshop programme and two paid Youth Advisory Board placements for young people, engaging them in live sculpture-making, creative skills development, and leadership.
- Eat Club
Young Chef courses support young people to build life skills, confidence, wellbeing and employability through hands-on cooking and nutrition education.
- Fitzrovia Youth in Action
Youth-led workshops, peer mentoring, and film projects to build confidence, wellbeing and inclusion. Young people will create campaigns that promote positive body image and mental health awareness.
- The Mosaic Community Trust
Building confidence, skills, and knowledge for Church Street mums. Helping to strengthen connections between home, school, and community.
- Creatives Futures (UK) Limited
Weekly music sessions for children aged 0-4, fostering social connections, early childhood development and family wellbeing.
- Doorstep Library
Home-based reading sessions to foster a love of reading, support parental engagement and empower families with improved literacy and access to wider opportunities.
- St Pauls NEWPIN
Supportive family-focused play, observation, and guidance in a safe, welcoming environment.
- Nucelo
Free orchestral music education and ensemble opportunities for children and young people.
- DreamArts
Creative workshops that are trauma-informed, and focused on wellbeing enabling 6-18 year olds to devise and perform their own artistic works while building confidence, social skills and emotional resilience.
- Floating Classroom
After-school storytelling programmes for children aged 7-11, helping them create and perform original stories.
- Pimlico Musical Foundation
After-school music programmes for young people in Pimlico, culminating in community concerts.
- Central London Youth Development Trust
Bollywood dance sessions for children across two schools, culminating in a community showcase celebrating their achievements.
- Pan Intercultural Arts
Providing vulnerable students at Ormiston Beachcroft Alternative Provision with safe, art-based workshops that build confidence, leadership, self-expression and social-emotional skills to support reintegration into mainstream education.
- At the Bus
Weekly art-as-therapy sessions for up to 104 children with complex needs to build self-esteem, resilience and wellbeing, while also supporting families and school staff through workshops and training.
- Diversity Role Models
Upstander Ambassador programme in secondary schools, empowering students to lead LGBTQ+ inclusion campaigns, develop social action skills, and deliver anti-bullying workshops to their peers.
- Kulan Somali Organisation
Providing homework clubs and educational support for refugee and immigrant children in northwest Westminster, helping them overcome barriers to learning.
- Happy Lizzy Event Planning CIC
The project will support young people who have dropped out or been excluded from education offering practical skills and activities.
- JK Cartoon Studios
Creative and well-being programmes for 150-200 young people with an art focus.
- Woman’s Trust
Specialist workshops for young women aged 16-25, supporting those affected by domestic abuse and involving participants in shaping future services through a focus group and steering group opportunities.
- Al-Ola Supplementary School
A year long cultural and creative programme for young people in Westminster, combining music, art, dance and drama to celebrate heritage and foster community connections.
- Platform Cricket
Deliver cricket programmes for pupils across Westminster schools and free community sessions that promote fitness, teamwork and personal development.
- London Basketball Association
Basketball for young people with SEND, as well as training SEND coaches, to build a sustainable, skilled workforce and create long-term opportunities in inclusive sport.
- Queens Park Bangladesh Association
Delivering free sports and physical activity sessions over 40 weeks for children and young people.
- Westside Community Foundation
Weekly girls-only basketball sessions at North Paddington Youth Club, promoting participation, fitness, wellbeing and teamwork in a safe and inclusive environment.
- London Tigers
Social, personal development and life-skills sessions for children and young people at the Grosvenor Estate youth club, combining sports, arts and mentoring to build confidence, social skills and resilience.
- Sudanese and Wider Community Club Association
Weekly sessions for 14–20-year-olds, combining personal development, career skills, social connection, wellbeing support, and recreational activities.
- Westbourne Park Family Centre
Manga programme for those with SEND, supporting through inclusive creative and social activities.
- MBS Centre
Engaging 8–12-year-olds in safe, educational, and recreational activities – including sports, workshops, and outings.
- Caxton Youth Organisation
Empowering learning-disabled and autistic young people to lead social change in Westminster by creating a community exhibition, delivering peer-led workshops and building partnerships to amplify their voices and influence policy.
