Building independence Backing organisations that support young people into adulthood

Our Building independence priority supports organisations working with young people aged 14 to 25

Growing up is messy. Adulthood doesn’t start on your 18th birthday. It builds, slowly, and not always steadily.

Between the ages of 14 and 25, young people are developing their identities, building relationships, making big decisions and forming the skills and confidence that will shape the rest of their lives.

We’ll be launching the Shout! grant programme later in July.

Shout!

This grant programme will help young people be heard when the world doesn’t listen. We will support advocacy services helping care-experienced, LGBT+, neurodivergent or learning-disabled young people speak up, make informed choices, and secure their rights.

Sign up to attend our live webinar on 22nd July, 1-2pm to hear more about the fund.

Or stay up to date via our mailing list to hear when the new programme launches and applications open.

Why Building independence?

The transition to adulthood can be a time of huge opportunity. But it is also a time when support often falls away. Many young people face the future without the help they need. Services can drop off at 18, as life gets harder. At the very moment young people need steady ground, it gives way beneath them.

For young people in difficult circumstances this challenge is even sharper. Too many lack the support, relationships or safe spaces they need — especially those leaving care, excluded from school, living with a disability or navigating life as an LGBTQ+ young person.

The COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and rising mental health needs have made the situation worse. But the underlying issues are not new. They’re structural and they’re fixable.

That’s why our Building independence priority supports organisations working with young people aged 14 to 25. We fund work that helps young people build resilience, raise aspirations and feel equipped for the next stage of life. We also support work that joins up fragmented services and pushes for policies that reflect the real experiences of young people.

Through our partners, we want to help young people not just get by but move forward with purpose. And we want to help create the conditions where young people shape the communities and systems around them too.

Our vision for change

• Young people feel hopeful, confident and ambitious about the future
• They have the resilience, skills and support to reach their potential
• The services around them work together and fit around their needs
• They are backed by adults who listen, care and understand what they’re going through
• Their voices are heard and reflected in policies and decisions that affect their lives