2024-25 in Review: A Year of Growth, Impact and Positive Change
Staff training at Contact Theatre in August 2025.
This year marked a bold chapter for The Agency - we have our biggest year yet! We welcomed Bolton Octagon as our new delivery partner in Farnworth, and continued to support young people across Manchester, London, Southampton, Belfast and Chester. We have worked alongside communities to unlock new ideas, dreams, and solutions that young people are bringing to life. Keep reading to see what the Agents have achieved so far.
2023-2024 Chester Agents Tom (left) and Kera-Leigh (right) at market stalls of community research.
Summary in Numbers
113 young people recruited in Cycle One
91 Agents pitched their ideas to local panels
29 projects progressed into funded delivery
40+ youth-led initiatives launched across the UK
1,678+ people directly engaged through projects
6 national delivery partners
16 young people joined our national Steering Group
7 Alumni-led national events or panels
5 community research reports with 635 voices captured
National Highlights
17 Alumni Agents are now working in roles of The Agency, including Peer Mentors, Agency Correspondents and Digital Storytellers.
The National Gathering in Manchester, co-created by our Steering Group, brought together over 40 current Agents, Alumni and guests for three days filled with laughter, learning and celebration.
We carried out Community Research in 5 locations, exploring the desires, challenges and opportunities within local neighborhoods through focus groups, interviews, and data analysis led by Agents. These insights helped shape Agents’ project and our methodology. Read the reports here.
Our monthly Alumni programme continues to grow, with sessions for Alumni Agents to connect, exchange ideas, and build skills in areas like event management, fundraising, and networking.
‘A standout memory was attending the National Gathering in Manchester. It was exciting to network with other Agents and enjoy the chance to stay in a new city overnight, complete with fun activities.’ - Eunice, London Alumni Agent
Project Spotlights
🎧 Silent Struggles (Belfast)
Ashleigh and Máire created a podcast called Silent Struggles, sharing untold stories of eating disorders, body image, recovery and more. The latest episode invites you to a live dining experience — a moment to reflect on their journey, the challenges ahead, and the supportive environment they hope to build. Listen to the podcast here.
📖 Protected Prototypes (Manchester)
Larochelle founded A magazine amplifying youth voices and showcasing art from Moston and Harpurhey, providing a platform for young people to express themselves
🎸Inspiring Artists (Chester)
Finlay, Joel and Olivia’s project Inspiring Artists, gives young people in Lache the chance to pick up a guitar, play on and join in. The project includes workshops teaching young people to play guitar, as well as a guitar library giving young people access to instruments and learning resources.
🗣️ One Voice, Many Stories (Bolton)
Agents Safa and Abdullahi’s project One Voice, Many Stories. The project supports immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in accessing housing, benefits, legal advice and other vital opportunities. They are planning to create an online resource hub and fully relaunch the programme in 2027.
Let’s hear what Bolton Agent Safa says:
“At 17, stepping into a space full of passionate, driven changemakers was both exciting and a little intimidating. But from day one, I felt heard, supported, and inspired. Through weekly sessions, mentoring, and collaboration, I developed the idea for my project - something rooted in my values and lived experience. The Agency taught me how to turn an idea into action. It gave me the space to lead with purpose, pitch with confidence, and think long term. I’m grateful to have been surrounded by peers, facilitators, and mentors who believed in us all.”
🍲Harvest of Hope (Southampton)
Chris created Harvest of Hope, a cooking club teaching young people how to turn food bank supplies into nourishing meals for their families. He has since presented his project to MPs, members of Sustainable Food Places and Southampton Food Partnership.
🎤 Rap Off (London)
Go behind the scenes with Rap Off, a rap tournament created by London Alumni Tremayne, Taleah and Joseph. The initiative gives young people the chance to make their own music in a music studio, offering a powerful alternative to drill music. Check out the video to see the panel, performances and energy that made Rap Off unforgettable.
Read about all funded projects of 2024-2025 here.
Alumni Highlights
Many of our Agents continue to lead their projects beyond The Agency. Here are just a few stories from this year:
Farhad - Manchester Alumni Agent, Potential MCR
Potential MCR supports teens and young adults to step away from drugs, crime and violence through programmes to upskill and mentor young people to develop their own business ideas. Farhad won the Bright Future Prize in ‘Your Community’ category, which he had the support and investment of £10,000 from Ardonagh Community Trust to grow his work to offer better support to young people.
Amy - Belfast Alumni Agent, Young Carers Initiative
Inspired by the experience as a young carer, Amy proposed a project called Young Carers Initiative, offering respite spaces for young carers to connect, relax, and support one another during her time at The Agency. Although her idea wasn’t funded at the time, she got to deliver it through her school’s Sisters in Leadership programme. The initiative includes weekly gatherings where young carers can support each other through games, crafts and study groups.
2023-2024 Southampton Agent Zarka (left) during her project ‘Sport with Support’.
Zarka – Southampton Alumni Agent, Sport with Support
Zarka founded Sport with Support with Sharnay when they were 16. The project created a safe, welcoming space for girls to build confidence and explore new sports, while being mindful of cultural and religious barriers that often prevent young women from staying active. Supported by ActiveMe 360, Sport with Support now becomes a permanent project that continues to thrive and remains true to its mission of empowering young women through sports.
Growing the Network
This year, our national network stretched across borders. Agents Yulu and Max shared their Agency experience with young people participating in JAM!, A Portugal-based youth programme; while young ambassadors of OLA from Latin America, met with London Agents at Battersea Arts Centre to share insights on a mental health research project partnered with People’s Palace Projects.
Mental health workshop at Battersea Arts Centre, part of the OLA project by People’s Palace Projects, a research project working at young artists from Latin America.
The Agency of Change is featured in Forbes - How The Agency Of Change Is Helping UK Youth Reimagine Their Future - On Their Own Terms, a powerful recognition of the youth-led movement that has grown across Manchester, London, Belfast and beyond. For over a decade, The Agency has supported young people in designing their own solutions to the challenges in their communities, rooted in creativity, local knowledge and long-term investment. The Forbes piece celebrates what we see every day: young people leading, imagining and building change on their own terms.
Thank You
The Agency is not just a programme – it’s a movement. We are building a national network of changemakers who are building futures rooted in creativity and care.
Thank you to every Agent, Alumni, staff, partner, panellist, supporter, and friend who has been part of this journey. You are part of the change!
Follow us and join the movement.