New Partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute for Children’s Futures
Youth Leads UK has formalised a new partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute for Children’s Futures (ICF), bringing together the charity’s experience developing young leaders with the Institute’s research expertise to create new opportunities for children and young people to influence policy and decision-making.
The partnership will combine joint research, policy development, innovation projects and engagement activity, with a shared aim: ensuring young people are active partners in shaping the decisions that affect their futures, not simply consulted on them after the fact.
Early commitments include support for the ICF’s new Children and Young People’s Panel, joint research on youth voice and inclusion, and co-hosting the flagship Youth in Power Conference in 2027.
Youth Leads UK is a national, youth-led charity empowering young people aged 12 to 25 to develop leadership skills, influence decision-making, and create positive change in their communities. Founded by Saeed Atcha MBE DL at the age of 15, the charity has since created opportunities for more than 25,000 young people to take part in volunteering, skills development and social action.
Saeed Atcha MBE DL, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Youth Leads UK, said:
“Young people have always known what needs to change. What they’ve too often lacked is the platform and the evidence to make decision-makers listen. Working alongside the Institute for Children’s Futures, together we can connect lived experience with academic rigour in a way that makes a real difference. We’re delighted to be working with the world-class team at Manchester Metropolitan University.”
Professor Michelle McManus, Director of the Institute for Children’s Futures, said:
“We are delighted to formalise our partnership with Youth Leads UK. Since the very beginning of the Institute for Children’s Futures, Saeed Atcha and the Youth Leads team have shared our belief that children and young people should not simply be consulted about the decisions that affect them, but should be genuine partners in shaping the research, policy and systems that influence their lives.
“By bringing together Youth Leads UK’s expertise in youth leadership with the ICF’s strengths in research and evidence mobilisation, we have an exciting opportunity to generate new knowledge, strengthen impact, and ensure that young people’s voices help drive meaningful and lasting change.”
Since its launch in 2024, the ICF has worked to improve the lives of children and young people through world-leading research, industry collaboration and community engagement – including research protecting children with SEND from criminal and sexual exploitation, uncovering racial bias in the justice system, and furthering safeguarding policy to prevent serious harm to vulnerable children.
Clockwise From top left: Youth Leads UK’s CEO Saeed Atcha MBE DL, Prof Saul Becker DL, Founding Director of the Institute for Children’s Futures (ICF), Prof Michelle McManus, Director of the ICF, and Poppy Roberts, Head of Programmes at Youth Leads UK
