Education United Kingdom Project #67400

Empower 10,000 UK Youth to Change the World!

by PeaceJam UK

Project Report | Jun 25, 2026
Continuing to work for long-term change!

By Caroline Millman | Chairman, PeaceJam UK

With the help of our GlobalGiving donors, we have been engaging with more young people in our “Be the Change” workshops, and two one-day conferences. On Saturday 21 March 2026, students from Manchester and Bolton schools took part in our second PeaceJam UK Youth Slam at Manchester Communication Academy. The theme “Stronger Together” was chosen by a group of students from all the schools involved, and there were some really thought provoking discussions and compelling workshops:

“This was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot today - 10/10 definitely build confidence.” 13-year-old female.

With the opportunity to showcase their social action projects, the young people also impressed some visiting, local dignitaries. And, as part of our evaluation at the end of the day, when asked, “How will you take what you learned back to your school/community?”, some excellent and exciting comments came through:

“I will make an assembly at my school about it.” 14-year-old male.
“I will talk about ways to bring it to the school by talking to the headteacher.” 13- year-old female.
“Talk about ways to bring the sessions into my school.” 13-year-old female.
“To never result to violence.” 15-year-old female.
“Spread awareness.” 15-year-old female.
“I would like to present a report of my experience for our school action team.” 17-year-old.

We have also been working with students in Years 7, 8 and 9 at The Romsey School, with “Be the Change” workshops for Years 7 and 8, and an Assembly with Year 9. A group of nearly 20 students are moving forward with a social action project, and were keen to discuss “knife crime” at their own PeaceJam UK Youth Slam on Saturday 20 June. Therefore, as well as the usual range of discussion groups and other interactive activities during the day, they took part in an excellent workshop delivered by a local magistrate. Having found out more about the role of magistrates, they were then given relevant, but anonymised, information about an actual case involving knife crime. Working in threes, as though they were a bench of magistrates, each group gave and then discussed their verdicts. This was a great opportunity for them all to recognise and understand the seriousness of knife crime, its consequences and how the justice system works.

As the summer vacation approaches, we are now looking for young people to: join our next Youth Action Group to plan an online Slam in the Autumn; take up intern opportunities to work on our social media; join our very successful Youth Leadership Team.

If you know of a young person who might be interested, please get in touch at:

unitedkingdom@peacejam.org

Thank you all again for your support.

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Feb 27, 2026
'Be the Change!' returns to Manchester and Bolton

By Fay Pretty | PeaceJam UK Coordinator

Smithills School Workshop

With the support of our GlobalGiving donors, we are so excited to share that ‘Be the Change!’ has returned for a second year in Manchester and Bolton. Working with approximately 45 students aged 11-16, between the 21st and 23rd of January, we launched ‘Be the Change!’ in Sharples School, Manchester Communication Academy and Smithills School. Students worked together to identify prevalent issue areas they could see in their local communities and explored the root cause of these issues before starting to create action groups to brainstorm ideas for change and undertake research needed before project planning begins. Participants will be taking part in follow up workshops at the start of March to support students develop and implement their projects.

In their feedback, a student from Manchester Communication Academy said “I definitely enjoyed this PeaceJam session as it gave me additional viewpoints from others on different topics such as AI or gang violence”. Building safe spaces to share opinions and voice concerns is a key cornerstone of the ‘Be the Change!’ project and the positive impact can be seen across all participant feedback. “I enjoyed learning about issues of other school communities and discussing different ideas and solutions to social issues.” This is why students will have the chance to present their projects to each other at our upcoming PeaceJam Manchester Slam on March 21 2026.

The theme of the PeaceJam Manchester Slam, chosen by the students at Sharples School and Manchester Communication Academy is ‘Stronger Together’! The youth have taken an active role in developing the conference. An event that is for youth by youth. As well as time built in for social action project sharing, participants will be empowered to be the change they want to see in the world through Q & A panels, hands-on workshops and near-peer mentoring groups.

With your support, PeaceJam UK has also continued to run ‘Be the Change!’ in York, meeting with students in January and February to support the development of projects at Boothams School and The Mount School York. This would not be possible without your support, thank you.

Manchester Communication Academy Workshop

Sharples School Workshop

Issue Area Example

Links:

PeaceJam Manchester Slam Video 2025

Attachments:

6 Attachments

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Oct 30, 2025
'Be the Change!' expanding in York

By Fay Pretty | PeaceJam UK Coordinator

The Mount School, York

With the support of our GlobalGiving donors, we are so excited to share that the ‘Be the Change!’ programme is expanding in York! On the week beginning the 15 September, we launched at two Secondary schools in York and began working with the University of York to recruit and train mentors to facilitate workshops.

At Bootham’s School, York, PeaceJam launched ‘Be the Change!’ across Year 7 to Year 12, totalling 380 students. This included creating resources, such as video content and collaborative activities to start promoting discussions around peace and conflict, this was then rolled out in tutor time for Years 7-11. Additionally, PeaceJam spoke to the Year 12 cohort, promoting the programme and other opportunities to develop projects and create change through PeaceJam initiatives. Following this launch, students from across the school have been meeting on a Tuesday afternoon every week to develop social action projects.

Three Year 12 students also applied and are now social media interns for PeaceJam UK. They have undergone Social Media Training and are volunteering every week, developing skills they aim to put to use as part of the ‘Be the Change!’ programme, when building and implementing their projects.

At the Mount School, York, PeaceJam UK ran five initial ‘Be the Change!’ workshops across Year 7 to Year 11, totally 90 students. Students discussed their concerns and worries, which included exam pressure, deforestation, animal rights and many other local and global issues. PeaceJam UK will then aim to empower students to address these issues through action in further ‘Be the Change!’ workshops.

With your support, PeaceJam UK will return in the Spring Term to York to continue to develop the programme. Apart from increasing our reach in York, PeaceJam UK, is also working with schools in Havant and Bournemouth this Autumn Term and has plans to revisit our partner schools in Manchester and Bolton in the Spring Term. This would not be possible without your support, thank you.

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