Level Up Youth Work

Young Westminster Foundation has coordinated Level Up Youth Work, a three year initiative spanning six North West London boroughs.

This project has invested in support and training for frontline workers supporting children and young people who provide life changing services for some of the capital’s most vulnerable young people.

Young Westminster Foundation, Young Camden Foundation, Young Harrow Foundation, Young Hammersmith and Fulham, Young K&C and Young Ealing Foundation have invested in vital skills, training and qualifications for youth and play service practitioners.

Findings from an independent evaluation of Level Up Youth Work have revealed that this model of localised place-based investment strengthens organisations, improves practice and creates better outcomes for young people.

The programme helped to build stronger relationships across organisations, creating opportunities to share expertise, reduce isolation and enable working together to address common challenges facing young people and the sector.

Representatives from all six boroughs came together in 2025 for a special conference to learn and share together: Being Real Matters: Reflections from our Level Up conference

Youth workers in the six London boroughs co-designed the development of local professional support networks through which small grassroots organisations have been able to access vital training, develop their professional skills and gain new qualifications, and collaborate with their peers to better address the issues young people are facing. Ranging from mental health to youth violence and employment.

Programme impacts and reflections

The Level Up programme has enabled Young Westminster Foundation and our partners to deliver significant impact in the six participating boroughs.

In the short film above we hear from youth and community workers, sharing their experiences of the Level Up Youth Work programme over the past two years.