Welcome back to Voices in Action, a podcast from The National Lottery Community Fund, co-produced with Be the change. Media Network.

In this episode, host Lily Mott explores how young people are shaping the future of funding and community change across the UK, as trusted decision makers, advisors and partners at The National Lottery Community Fund.

Lily is joined by three inspiring guests who are helping to turn The National Lottery Community Fund's strategy into reality. Joe, Head of Youth Voice at The National Lottery Community Fund, shares her journey putting youth voice first in funding decisions, communications, governance, and strategy. Tia, a former Youth Voice Advisor and now a member of the UK Fund Panel, reflects on her path to influencing multi-million-pound funding decisions and how creativity, poetry, and storytelling play a role in driving change. Loren, a former member of the Young People in the Lead advisory panel, highlights the importance of youth participation and involving young people in decision-making.

Together, they discuss what meaningful youth participation really looks like in practice: from young people shaping funding criteria and training staff, to sitting on boards, and visiting funded projects to see impact firsthand. They explore the challenges of measuring the impact of youth voice work, the importance of trust, transparency, and feedback, and why funders have a responsibility to show how youth participation can be done well.

This episode is a powerful look at what happens when organisations truly share power and why giving young people a seat at the table benefits individuals, organisations and communities.

For more information about:

• The National Lottery Community Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
• Be the change. Media Network: https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com/

Follow The National Lottery Community Fund on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to this podcast and join us for more stories of youth-led change, community, and the power of social action.

In this special #iwill Week episode, host Lily Mott is joined by two inspiring #iwill Ambassadors, Reuben Byfield and Claire Muhlawako Madzura, to explore this year’s theme, “What Do You Stand For?”, and celebrate the power of young people driving change in their communities.

Reuben is an #iwill Ambassador and trustee at Bite Back 2030, a youth-led movement campaigning for a fairer and healthier food system. Claire is an #iwill Ambassador, changemaker, and storyteller whose work with organisations like Young Manchester champions youth voice, community power, and meaningful collaboration.

Together, they reflect on how their journeys in social action began, what they stand for as leaders, and how young people's voices continue to shape stronger, more connected communities across the UK. They also discuss the impact of initiatives like Bite Back 2030 and Young Manchester, both supported through the #iwill Fund, and why sustained investment in youth-led projects is essential for long-term change.

For more information about:

• The National Lottery Community Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
• #iwill Week 2025: https://www.iwill.org.uk/iwill-week-events/
• The #iwill Movement: https://www.iwill.org.uk
• Be the change. Media Network: https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com/

Follow The National Lottery Community Fund on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to this podcast and join us for more stories of youth-led change, community, and the power of social action.

Welcome back to Voices in Action, a podcast from The National Lottery Community Fund, co-produced with Be the change. Media Network.

In this episode, host Lily Mott is joined by Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, and Sophia Badhan, #iwill Ambassador and activist, to explore the growth of the #iwill Movement and the impact of the #iwill Fund in empowering young people to drive positive change across the UK.

Together, they reflect on the #iwill Movement’s origins, the role of collaboration between sectors, and what true youth leadership looks like in practice. Sophia shares her journey as an #iwill Ambassador and her recent work contributing to the National Youth Strategy, while Dame Julia discusses how the #iwill Fund continues to create opportunities for young people to shape stronger, fairer communities.

The episode also highlights the #iwill Fund, open until 19 November 2025, which is a fantastic opportunity for organisations across England to access funding that supports youth-led social action.

Whether you’re a young person, educator, youth worker, or simply inspired by young people making a difference, this episode offers valuable insights into how lasting change begins when we invest in young people and communities.

For more information about:

• The National Lottery Community Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
• The #iwill Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/iwill-fund-2025-strand-2
• The #iwill Movement: https://www.iwill.org.uk
• Be the change. Media Network: https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com/

Follow The National Lottery Community Fund on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to this podcast and join us for more stories of youth-led change, community, and the power of social action.