The pandemic has disrupted young lives at crucial stages of education and transition. The impact on young people likely to be intense and long lasting, especially for the most vulnerable, with UK Youth predicting the following:

• Increased mental health or wellbeing concerns
• Increased loneliness and isolation
• Lack of safe space – including not being able to access their youth club/ service and lack of safe spaces at home
• Challenging family relationships
• Lack of trusted relationships or someone to turn to
• Increased social media or online pressure
• Higher risk for engaging in gangs, substance misuse, carrying weapons or other harmful practices
• Higher risk for sexual exploitation or grooming

Our 100+ members range from large youth clubs to smaller grass roots organisations; all driven by their passion to provide the best services, opportunities and support for local young people.

In 2019, YWF collaborated with Westminster City Council and 8 other investors as part of the inaugural round of The Westminster Brighter Futures Fund. This enabled us to award 17 grants to youth organisations across the borough; totalling £280,000 and supporting thousands of young people locally.

Read more about the 2019 grant recipients here.

This grants programme builds upon the findings of YWF’s report A City within a City and Westminster City Council’s Early Help Strategy 2019 – 2022. It represents an opportunity for all organisations in Westminster to create a system which puts children, young people and their families first and strives to create a joint response to emerging needs, ensuring the best use of resources.

“We would like to thank all of our contributing partners who recognise the importance of investing in young people and help building an even stronger community in Westminster through cross-sector collaboration.”
– Phil Barron, CEO YWF