What are some of the key areas you fund?
The Jack Petchey Foundation (JPF) was set up by the late Sir Jack Petchey CBE to inspire and motivate young people across London and Essex, to fulfil their potential and have a positive impact on society. We do this through celebrating young people’s achievements, and developing their skills and confidence though a broad portfolio of programmes; and have invested over £180m since we were established in 1999.
Each year over £10m is invested in young people and youth organisations, with our flagship Achievement Award Scheme being central to that. This scheme is run by around 1,500 schools and youth groups who benefit from a package of grants worth up to £6,400 a year. Members of the scheme nominate young people they would like to celebrate and acknowledge for their achievements, and around 12,000 outstanding young people are recognised with Achievement Awards every year. Each winner is invited to one of 80 celebratory events each year, where they receive a certificate, a pin badge, a book about Sir Jack, and get to choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit other young people in their school or youth group.
Organisations on the scheme can also apply for other small grants throughout the year – including grants for educational visits, for leaders and for environmental projects.
JPF partners with various organisations to deliver programmes giving over 130,000 young people each year opportunities to develop their skills in a wide range of areas, including: public speaking (the Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge), communication, social action, STEM, performing arts, financial education, sport and employability.
Young people can also apply directly for grants to take part in other programmes of their choice. For example, they may want to undertake volunteer projects in the UK and across the globe, complete a year-long personal development programme, take part in funded internships, and more.
What’s something exciting that you’re currently working on?
We’ve just launched our latest annual youth survey, “Your Voice, Your Future”, and we’d love any support from London Funders members by sharing this with schools or youth organisations, or directly with young people, so that the survey is as representative as it can be. The focus of the survey was decided by our Youth Consultation Panel, and centres on youth voice: how confident young people feel about using their voice, and how well heard they feel.
It’s a great opportunity for us to amplify young voices from London and Essex, and we intend to take its headline findings to decision-makers early in the new year, to discuss and agree what needs to be done to make young people’s voices clearly heard, at a time when the future holds so much uncertainty. Any advice or help from members to raise awareness and support for the survey would be greatly appreciated!
The survey is for young people (aged 11-25) and we’re asking every school and youth or uniform group across London and Essex to get involved. Every young person who completes the survey has the chance to be entered in a draw to win £200 for themselves and £500 for the school or youth organisation they are part of. Here’s the link, please share with your charity partners and networks: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SXJVDSK
What’s one insight that you’d like to share with other London Funders members?
In most scenarios young people’s voices are rarely, if ever, heard to when it comes to making key decisions about what impacts their lives. JPF is dedicated to highlighting the positive impact that listening to these voices can make.
At JPF we place youth voice at the heart of all we do. For example, our Youth Consultation Panel (YCP) is made up of 15 young people who work directly with JPF staff to shape what programmes and grants the charity provides to young people. The YCP represents the Foundation at events held at prestigious venues such as City Hall, Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
The significance of the YCP’s impact on the Foundation is evidenced by three former members being part of the current Board of Trustees. This shows how, if given a chance to provide input, young people can play a significant in shaping policies and programmes that benefit society.
What do you value most about being a part of London Funders?
At JPF, we massively value the input of the diverse voices and opinions of young people in shaping our work, and London Funders' commitment to do the same is really powerful. London Funders listens to its own diverse range of organisations that bring their own strengths and voices to the wider London community, and working in lockstep in this way builds confidence and insight on best practice. We additionally love chairing the London Funders CYP network – a collective of outstanding London Funder members, committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people in the capital.
Looking ahead: what should we prioritise as a network of funders?
We have a current focus on reaching more young people who do not currently benefit from our programmes, and our grants team is prioritising its outreach to supporting areas and groups with the greatest need. Like many funders, we recognise how important it is to ensure that funding reaches diverse groups within our communities and are committed to using our data and resources to ensure that this happens.
What’s an area you’d like to discuss with other members?
We’d like to provide even more opportunities to young people between the ages of 18-25 to engage with us. One of our key strategic aims for 2025-2027 is to grow an Alumni Network for those that have graduated from our programmes as a way to offer more opportunities to those in this age bracket. We’d welcome advice from other funders and organisations that have created similar projects or that offer opportunities to those aged 18-25 to develop their skills, confidence and voice.
Connect with us about:
- Integrating youth panels into your core activities
- Championing Youth Voice
- Event expertise
- Diversifying grant opportunities
The Member Spotlight is taken from our monthly member-exclusive newsletter, the Member Memo. The newsletter contains targeted information about upcoming events and updates from across the membership, with opportunities to connect and collaborate with other members. If you are a London Funders' member and would like to sign up, please email nasyah.bandoh@londonfunders.org.uk.