Southampton Young People in Positions of Power
Nik with Southampton Alumni Agent Ali at National Gathering 2023.
In Southampton’s SO14 area, change doesn’t always arrive loudly. More often, it shows up through relationships, trust and the quiet consistency of people who believe in others before they believe in themselves. Through The Agency of Change, young people in the area are supported to develop ideas, build confidence and step into positions of power within their own communities.
For Nik, Project Manager for The Agency of Change in SO14, that work has become deeply personal. While she had no prior connection to the area before joining The Agency, her relationship with the community has grown through the people who live and work there.
The Agency programme is delivered in partnership with Energise Me, a charity that champions physical activity for all in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Invested and Inspired
Nik explained to us that she was drawn to The Agency because of its clarity of purpose and its commitment to putting young people in positions of real power.
Coming from a background of building teams and helping people recognise their own potential, she saw an opportunity to contribute her skills in a way that aligned strongly with her values.
“I wanted to see how I could be part of something that had such a clear purpose of putting young people into a position of power.”
What stood out most was The Agency’s belief that valuing people means backing that belief with action.
“The way that The Agency puts its money where its mouth is and pays the Agents — if you say you value someone, you need to show that.”
When asked to describe her role in one word, Nik chooses it carefully: privileged.
For her, the role spans the entire journey, from street recruitment with Alumni, to meeting potential Agents for the first time, through to seeing ideas grow into funded projects and beyond.
“I get to see the very, very start of an Agent’s journey through to their transition into Alumni.”
She speaks about being present from day one, when Agents are often nervous but recognise a familiar face, through the programme cycles, helping to shape panels that inspire, support and open doors not just for funded Agents, but for those whose projects aren’t taken forward.
“I get to watch them take the seed of their idea and build it, and shape it, and believe in it even if at times they don’t believe in themselves. I get to watch them flourish, to connect with their own potency, and I consider that to be a real privilege.”
Pride, for Nik, often comes from the smallest moments. She speaks about quieter Agents finding their voice through creative pathways, or simple acts of care between peer, moments that might seem small, but carry deep meaning.
“These tiny things can be monumental, yet seem so small.”
She also speaks with pride about the Alumni community, those who continue to flourish after their Agency experience and about the mutuality at the heart of the work.
“The Agency is a two-way street, but I feel I get back threefold what I give.”
One moment in particular stayed with her: reading messages from Agents who recognised that she was truly in their corner.
“I was moved to tears. The Agents recognise that I’m in their corner, and I want to do everything I can to help them maximise what they can get from The Agency.”
Nik bringing Agents to a radio recording at The Voice FM Southampton.
We also asked Nik fun quick-fire questions!
1) What’s a hidden gem in Southampton that everyone should know about?
“The Big Difference - an amazing charity with a community shop based at Northam Community Link.”
2) Who has been one of your biggest inspirations or role models?
“Krisztián Jároszkievicz - a many-times world champion kickboxer and the wider Hungarian national kickboxing team. Their humility in winning, grace in losing, and commitment to sharing knowledge made me want to be a better fighter and a better person.”
3) If you could invite any three people to a creative brainstorming session, who would they be?
“Terry Pratchett, Verona Rose, and Heston Blumenthal.”
4) What do you want to change in 2026?
“I want The Agency to secure solid funding in SO14 that would give us at least three more years. Our Agents and Alumni are making a difference, and the power of this work needs to continue.”
5) Do you have a motto or phrase that guides you?
“Live as you want to die.”
6) If your life were a movie, what genre would it be and who would play you?
“An action comedy, played by Bianca Del Rio.”
Community Research
Alongside the Southampton programme, The Agency of Change carries out community-based research to better understand local needs and priorities. Click here to read the Southampton Community Research Report.