Young Changemakers Impacting Communities in 2026
Exciting times are here as we introduce this year’s funded Agents, a collective of young changemakers from Chester, Manchester, Bolton, London, Belfast and Southampton, who are ready to make a difference in their communities.
Through Cycle 1 of The Agency programme, Agents have explored their desire for change through creative approaches and started making change in their local areas. Already changemakers in their own right, they’re now bringing bold ideas to life, including community murals, automotive engineering workshops, outdoor theatre celebrating local artists and many more.
Scroll down to meet the Agents of 2025-2026, who are shaping our growing movement and amplifying young voices across the UK.
THE AGENCY CHESTER
Produced by Storyhouse, working within LacheLily and Charlie - Study Sphere
Developing a safe space and provide resources for local community, encouraging young people to come together and study, improving educational attainment and feeling of isolation while under exam pressure.
Magenta and Seden - The Peoples Outdoor Cinema
Creating affordable cinema experience for families in Lache, encouraging discussion and showcasing local film-makers.
Tyler and Cian - Food Communita
To create a warm, welcoming space with comforting food, familiar games and activities that encourages young people from the community to come together and support each other to help prevent insolation and loneliness.
Ethan - The Storybook
Offering a share resource to support to address social injustice in the community.
THE AGENCY MANCHESTER
Produced by Contact, working within Moston and HarpurheyKelisha - Diary of Freedom
Activating young girl’s minds and pave a path of creativity so they are not subjected to the pressure’s of the world and nurture their individuality.
Christian and Wallee - No Blade
Providing educational services for schools and young people and offering public amnesty bins to prevent knife crime.
Mary - MASK
A creative, transformative, impactful online space to motivate upcycling and shopping in a responsible, humane and environmentally friendly way.
THE AGENCY BOLTON
Produced by Octagon Theatre, working within FarnworthAdeniyi - Automotive Unity
Uniting the community by celebrating automotive culture and inspire young people in engineering and mechanical education.
Precious - Crowned Roots
Sharing the art of Afro hair braiding, and inspiring young people in Farnworth to develop practical skills and gain confidence to turn their talent into long-term employment opportunities.
Zane - Soft Borders
Creating a comic book that promotes cultural unity through characters, conflict and storytelling.
THE AGENCY LONDON
Produced by Battersea Arts Centre, working within BatterseaEmmanuel - Manny Cutz
Sharing barbering skills and teaching others to become a skilled barber.
Maryama and Sabarin - Gate of Success
Providing a supportive community space for refugees through food.
Ashleigh - Crochet Corner
Helping to fight homelessness with one granny square at a time - a crochet group that create items of clothing and blankets for homeless organisations.
THE AGENCY BELFAST
produced by New Lodge Arts working within North BelfastElla and Helena - Newlight Networks
A project helping teens with addictions by forming a youth group aged between 12-20, where they work towards creating a mural in North Belfast while learning how to cope with addiction.
Michael and Lily - From Mask to Mic
Creating a podcast to help gay men and inviting people who identify as gay in the public eye to come on and talk about their journey, as well as advice they would have for those who struggle to show their individuality.
Meabh and Cara - Cúpla Focal
Cúpla Focal is the Irish for 'A Couple of Words'. A project that offers a flexible way to learn and promote the Irish language, in a fun, memorable way, focusing on early intervention and a younger age range.
THE AGENCY SOUTHAMPTON
Produced by Energise Me, working within St Mary's & NorthamLoveleen, Yukta and Julia - Luminaria
A work experience fair to connect young people aged 15-19 with potential opportunities for work experience and career pathways.
Abdullah - Project Breakout
Recreating online games into real life games, with a tournament at the end, to reduce social isolation of young gamers.
Mihran and Ahmed - Road to Rings
A boxing workshop to give young men the opportunity to do sports, instead of getting into gangs or trouble.
The Journey Continues
We are just at the beginning of something bigger. Whether projects are funded or not, every Agent remains part of The Agency journey. For those whose projects weren't funded this time around, the future is still full of possibilities. Agents’ journey continue by refining their ideas, building confidence, and shaping change within their communities.
The Agency Alumni network is a shared space where opportunity, collaboration and support continue long after the programme. Agents across the UK stay connected with each other through events and creative opportunities. They uplift one another by sharing insights, spreading the word, and helping more people benefit from these experiences.
Keep an eye out for updates as we continue to spotlight the inspiring changemakers of 2025–2026, each geared up to make a lasting difference within communities.