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The Youth Charter was established in 1993 following the senseless loss of 14-year-old Benji Stanley, who was shot and killed in Moss Side. That moment of tragedy became a catalyst for change igniting a movement dedicated to giving young people the support, structure and opportunity to lead safe, fulfilled and purpose-driven lives. Over three decades later, the urgency of our mission remains, particularly as we respond to the rising challenges facing young Londoners today.

This report captures the significance and outcomes of the Youth Charter Greater London Community Campus Stakeholder Workshop, held at UCL East Marshgate on 29th March 2025. It brought together an inspiring mix of educators, youth workers, policymakers, digital innovators, grassroots leaders and institutional partners, all committed to co-creating a future where no young life is wasted, and every young person is seen, heard and supported.

At the heart of our discussion was the need for a greater collaborative approach to tackling the interlinked issues of youth violence, mental health, educational inequality, unemployment and social isolation. These are not isolated problems. They are symptoms of systemic barriers that require integrated, community-led, cross-sector responses rooted in trust, shared values and mutual accountability.

The Youth Charter Community Campus model provides just such a framework. It offers Somewhere to Go, Something to Do, and Someone to Show Them, ensuring that sport, art, culture and digital engagement become tools for not only diversion, but aspiration, progression and leadership. The development of our Community Campus Portal and the Social Coach Leadership Programme provide the operational and human infrastructure to make this vision sustainable and scalable.

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games promised to “Inspire a Generation.” Yet for many communities in London’s East End and across the capital that legacy remains unfulfilled. Now, more than a decade on, we believe it is time to realise the true potential of the 2012 pledge by transforming it into a Legacy Opportunity for All. This means co-designing programmes with young people, investing in the people and places that need it most, and creating genuine pathways from participation to progression.

This report documents the conversations, commitments and creativity of a workshop that we hope marks the beginning of a renewed collective effort. It is not just a summary of what took place, it is a call to action. To our partners across the public, private and third sectors: the time to act is now. We must not only work together, but we must also lead together, if we are to deliver on the promise of a London where every young person, regardless of background or postcode, can thrive.

Let this be the moment where collaboration moves from idea to impact, and where the spirit of 2012 is reignited not as a memory, but as a movement.

Prof Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM

Founder and Chair,

Youth Charter