A journey and a half across the UK delivering Hope Hacks since mid 2021 post covid when we were able to physically engage young people with events again.

What made the Hope Hacks so special? I would say it was all about the people who threw their hats in the ring from a vast array of youth orgs and violence reduction units (VRU) to volunteer their time for a common cause. As they said in Scotland it really is all about relationships and the Hope Collective ethos has been about relationship building from day one

The all party commission i had the privilege of being lead advisor for dug deep with evidence that demonstrated the successful implementation of public health strategy and its fair to say that we took those learnings into the construction of the Hope Collective partnership network

The magic that comes from truly authentic youth led events shone through in each and every Hope Hack and when you ask young people to reimagine a fairer society through solution workshops facilitated by top youth workers be prepared for an eruption of positivity!

Many wonderful orgs such as UK Youth, Volunteering Matters, Kings Trust, Street games and National youth agency, have played their part while the National Citizen Service was literally starting to reinvent itself by playing integral role formatting the Hope Hack. The Damilola Taylor Trust of course represented by me and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation helping pull everything together. One big family of hope!

Dozens of organisations, hundreds of fabulous youth workers and thousands of empowered young people. The Hope Hack delivers localised outcomes everywhere it pitches up with issues manifesting out of poverty and inequalities attacked with great zest by the youngsters taking part

The summary outcome when everything collated is that young people are fed up of being asked to give their time, passion and voice time and time again only for the adult establishment to move on to something else without taking action evidenced by young people

Across the top line issues investigated were of course Mental and physical well being , Employability and skills, education, community policing and youth services. Criminal justice, social housing and the environment etc

A summary report is currently in motion under RFF direction.

I enjoyed helping facilitate many workshops across the UK and have wonderful memories of young people’s participation

“Algebra” shouted young Ruby from Liverpool. My school want to talk to me about Algebra but I have severe anxiety and they can’t talk to me about my mental health. Where will Algebra be when I leave school? While my mental health will follow me wherever I go!

AI WILL change everything said 15 year old Adam as he lifted his hoodie to take part in education workshop in Hull. We were discussing the state of education and the curriculum. Adam hadn’t really participated until right at the death…

The curriculum will be entirely rewritten by AI and everything will change, he said..

Who is going to disagree?

The antiquated state of the curriculum was a constant theme emerging and how AI might play a role with coping mechanisms around mental health with trusted adult mentors etc

Fascinating themes and stories..

We are now evolving into a well structured membership cooperative and the plans we have for capacity building our YMG central to our thoughts. The VRU regions are hot beds of crime and violence hence investment by Home Office but we recognise they are all regions beset by poverty and inequalities

Imagine a youth movement coming from these regions with a common goal to create a friendship network designed to share ideas and solutions to levelling up their communities?

Maybe lessons learned from the shortcomings of NCS can be put to good use while the upsides enhanced by having a huge consortia of like minded orgs supporting the development and growth?

Right now we are consolidating our infrastructure and looking at a number of Hope Hacks this year as hybrid versions like the ones we have done on Community policing

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/young-people-come-together-to-debate-the-future-of-policing

And Violence against women and girls ..

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/andrew-tates-home-town-targeted-36215933

A Communities Hope Hack that sees young people coming up with ideas and recommendations to heal the growing division and discord in the UK over refugees and immigration issues is one we are keenly exploring..

Trust in young people and the world looks a whole lot like a better place!