Strengthening local connections to enhance UK PLACES
Our place-based programmes
Community Research Networks
Community Research Networks programme is a two-phase funding opportunity, putting communities at the heart of research.
Community Knowledge Fund
The Community Knowledge Fund supports communities to play a stronger role in research and innovation.
Campaign for community power
Supporting better-connected, stronger communities, The Young Foundation is proud to be part of We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power.
Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG
Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.
15-minute neighbourhoods
How do universities engage with and contribute to their places? The collaborative NCIA programme explores how universities can address local societal challenges and promote thriving communities and places.
The Community Tune-In
Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.
Quote from Dr Al Mathers, Director of Research, The Young FoundationEveryday experiences can have a lasting impact, and when our places are set up in ways that support participation, innovation and collaboration, huge potential is unlocked. That’s why we collaborate with local people and organisations, working together to build community connection and create positive change.
Community participation in local change
Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’
Our new collaborative initiative aims to accelerate a fairer and more inclusive future for West Midlands communities
Building ‘a place where everyone feels they belong’Community collaboration in Hounslow
We are working with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.
Community collaboration in HounslowPowering sustainable London homes
This project with the London Sustainable Development Commission and residents in London explores ideas to make homes more energy-efficient and cost-effective for all.
Powering sustainable London homesTackling physical inactivity across the capital
The Young Foundation is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.
Tackling physical inactivity across the capitalCreating ‘a town built on fairness’
With a new £1.9m award from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’re building on our recent work in the Luton area, working with local communities to help overcome social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Creating ‘a town built on fairness’Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire
New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife.
Helping nature thrive and survive in DerbyshireResident-led change in Buckskin and South Ham
This community-led research project gathered insights into local residents’ experiences and priorities for change, resulting in positive impact that continues to benefit local people.
South Ham and BuckskinThought leadership
‘We face challenging times – but the solutions are available to us all’
As we launch into a turbulent and troubled 2025, our CEO Helen Goulden says The Young Foundation’s vision for a better-connected and fairer society is as vital as ever.
‘A movement of hope, a movement of neighbours’
When communities feel powerless, apathy breeds. Al Mathers, Leonie Taylor and Jack Layton call for greater resources and time to ensure people can have ongoing, active roles in shaping their homes and neighbourhoods.
‘Research and innovation are about hope and empowerment’
At our Community Research Networks Away Days, Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), shared a vision for a more ‘open and inclusive’ future.
‘With true collaboration, people can shape the places they live’
What’s on your doorstep? Helen Goulden welcomes the 15-Minute Neighbourhood concept, helping communities access the services and amenities they feel are important.
‘The infrastructure of opportunity’
Responding to Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister, Helen Goulden says government must work collaboratively towards a productive, caring and just society.
‘A chance to rewrite the rulebook and govern differently’
Could this General Election deliver deep change in our political systems, and power a collaborative, community-powered future?
Social change
Dear Future MPs, We’re Right Here
Watch the We’re Right Here campaign video, where community leaders Andy, Hannah and Josiah hit the streets to tell a different story about leadership, representation and power this general election season.
‘A community space, a pub, and better lighting in public spaces’
What do communities need? Leonie Taylor reflects on the realities of engaging local people in planning strategies and highlights the importance of peer research as a driver for change.
‘A conversation not a concept’
Siân Whyte shares three ways to ensure the 15-minute neighbourhood concept is location-specific, and works for both residents and councils.
Our spokespeople
Helen Goulden OBE
Helen, CEO of The Young Foundation, leads our multi-disciplinary team of researchers and innovators to support stronger communities across the UK. She has extensive experience in both the private sector and government, enhancing digital strategies and solutions for global corporate clients.
Helen Goulden OBEDr Al Mathers
Al’s work is driven by her commitment to understanding hidden experiences of place-based exclusion and inclusion. Her research on the EU programme ‘Making Places Profitable’ explored place-keeping partnerships between communities, policymakers and practitioners.
Dr Al MathersIsabella Pereira
Isabella is a qualitative and mixed methods expert with more than 15 years’ experience in researching vulnerable audiences. Her published work includes case-based research in local authorities on the resettlement of Syrian refugees, and on support for vulnerable families.
Isabella PereiraSiân Whyte
Siân specialises in a range of methodological approaches, underpinned by research-focused BA and MSc degrees. Her role at The Young Foundation involves overseeing research and design projects for national and local clients.
Siân WhyteDaniel Farag
Dan leads our practical social change and innovation work with communities, public systems, and social enterprises. He has worked across the public, private and charitable sectors, supporting individuals, organisations and systems to release the power of people closest to issues.
Our vision for change
The Power of Participation: our vision 2024-28
Embracing the spirit of our founder, Michael Young, our five-year strategy, The Power of Participation, shares our vision to redesign the social contract between people, communities, state and business and shape a fairer, greener future.
Rewriting the rulebook
This policy brief outlines The Young Foundation’s vision for enhancing social participation in mission-based government.