It was great to catch up with #PowerToChange community partners on Friday 23rd January to share, reflect learn and be inspired.
Partners present shared updates on the vital grassroots work they do and the challenges they face. All present felt that we are living in uncertain times and many people across our city and county are facing increased hardship at a time when support services are being cut back. These issues are exacerbated by some who see them as an opportunity to spread division and hatred:
the truth is when you see people across the different neighbourhoods and communities in Leicester and Leicestershire, they have so much in common. Really “we should all be mates”, and the community sector can do a lot to build bridges and understanding!
We shared ideas on how we might partner together to build a funding proposal with Reaching People, which would seek to support youth work across the city that aims to unite young people.
I think if we had funding, we could do a lot and often we find when we do get young people to ,meet and spend time together they see past the stereotypes pedalled online and realise they could be mates
We also discussed the growing threat of divisive online influencers and agreed more thought needed to be given as to how we deal with these issues.
We ended the session by asking participants to share thoughts on what they felt key role of the community sector should be in 2026 and this talking head video captures their thoughts. https://youtu.be/Mf8MvHCMGpE
We also agreed we needed to continue to ensure young people’s voices and lived experience and drive our work.
It’s been another inspiring meeting, so much great work going on and if we continue to partner together am confident, we can build on our strengths and help empower and unite young people across our city and county
For more information on our #PowerTo Change model https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/our-approach/power-to-change/