New youth-led initiative in Wednesbury provides safe spaces and mental health support for young people

Led by three young people from Wednesbury, Uplifting Minds is a new community initiative focused on wellbeing, connection and mental health support for local teenagers. As part of United By 2022’s Ideas Made Real programme, the charity has awarded a grant to Uplifting Minds, a Wednesbury-based social action project, totalling £4,575.  The Ideas Made Real programme, which is open to those aged […]

Young people in Birmingham funded to make their ideas for community action real!

Young people in Birmingham are set to lead three new community initiatives in the city, thanks to funding from United By 2022, the legacy charity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.   As part of United By 2022’s Ideas Made Real programme, the charity has awarded grants to three Birmingham-based social action projects, totalling £12,000.  The programme, which is open to those aged 16 to 24, gives […]

Co-existing with nature- an update from Chris

Back in 2024, Lucy, Chris and David approached us with an idea. To create a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Coventry. To create a space where young people can unwind, and connect with each other and nature, whilst still in the heart of the city. As part of our Ideas Made Real programme, […]

Real Opportunities, Real Change: Why Our Work With Young People Matters Now More Than Ever

In the West Midlands, youth unemployment is one of the highest in the country. In Birmingham—the youngest city in Europe and one of the most deprived local authorities in England—the need for youth-focused support is urgent and growing. At the same time, public funding continues to shrink, and opportunities for young people are becoming increasingly […]

Gen22 and Ideas Made Real Impact Report Published

United By 2022’s Gen22 and Ideas Made Real 2023–2024 Impact Report highlights the incredible strides made by young people across the West Midlands. Designed to break down barriers to opportunity, these programmes have empowered 577 participants—many from underrepresented backgrounds—to lead over 22,000 hours of meaningful social action. Key achievements include: The report shows that co-creation, […]

Accelerating Change: A Conversation with Malikah Khan for International Women’s Day

In honour of International Women’s Day, we are excited to bring you an inspiring conversation with Malikah, a young and passionate social change activist who joined United By 2022’s Ideas Made Real programme, to provide young women from her community access to snow sports. Through her own experiences, Malikah recognised there weren’t many girls that […]

Wild Earth – An Ideas Made Real Case Study

Wild Earth is a Coventry based Community Group, set up to connect young people and communities to nature, to improve mental health and wellbeing. We funded them £8,000 to rejuvenate their inner city allotment space. Using this space, the team run workshops for young people with physical and mental health needs and the neurodiverse community, […]

The Disorderly Canal Clean Up – An Ideas Made Real Case Study

The Challenge Chantelle Orris, Artistic Director, set up the Disorderly Company in order to bring to light enviromental issues in fun and creative ways! Chantelle was passionate about engaging primary school children and educating them about the importance of looking after the environment, keeping the canals clean and picking up after yourself, in order to […]

Ideas Made Real Case Study – Zeze Sohawon​

Zeze

From a young age, ZeZe was diagnosed with autism, psychosis and a personality disorder, and has lived experience as a care leaver. She started her organisation Emotional Dysregulation in Autism (EDA) to help other individuals like her that struggle with mental health, giving them a space to communicate and express emotions safely. Her charity offers […]