What youth organisations want to see from the National Youth Strategy
We asked three organisations we support through our work investing in young people to tell us what they hope to see in the new National Youth Strategy.
On our doorstep: our new Neighbourhood Fund grants
Published: 30 June 2025
Author: Olivia Smith
The Peel Institute, one of our previous Neighbourhood Fund grant holders. Photo credit: The Peel Institute
Grants will be made to Camden Giving, Islington Giving, and Young Camden Foundation, putting local residents at the heart of decision-making.
As a grant maker, one of the many responsibilities we feel is to our local area. That’s why, for a number of years, we have had a Neighbourhood Fund – a fund through which we can make grants to organisations on our doorstep who we feel are doing transformative work where we’re based.
This year, we’re pleased to announce three new grants: to Camden Giving, Islington Giving, and Young Camden Foundation. Each organisation has deep-rooted connections to the local area, and ambitions to further involve local residents in their work as grant makers and as membership organisations respectively.
“Partnering with local grant makers through our Neighbourhood Fund has enabled us to have significant impact within our immediate area, helping us learn how to be a good neighbour and encourage others to do the same. Building meaningful local relationships ensures our combined resources help local people when and how they need it. We are looking forward to deepening these partnerships over the coming years.”
Abdou Sidibe, Director of Grants, Paul Hamlyn Foundation
This year, two of the grants specifically focus on participatory grant making models, aiming to involve more residents in the grant making of Camden Giving and Islington Giving. The grant to Young Camden Foundation will support their work to develop local infrastructure support for the youth sector in Camden.
Across all of the grant holders, there is a shared ambition to centre local residents in their work and to reach historically underserved communities in the area.
About Camden Giving
Camden Giving is an independent charity working to end local poverty and inequality in Camden. Since 2017, they have operated as a participatory funder in the belief that people facing inequality are the ones best placed to find the solutions to the challenges facing communities in Camden.
“It’s truly heartening to see the Paul Hamlyn Foundation placing trust in young people by putting real resources in their hands. This kind of bold, imaginative funding creates space for fresh ideas and genuine leadership to flourish. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when funders use their wealth to back the energy, insight and courage of the next generation. The ripple effects of this approach will be felt far and wide.”
Natasha Friend, Director, Camden Giving
About Islington Giving
Islington Giving is a coalition of local people, businesses and organisations working together to raise funds, support communities and projects, and connect with each other in Islington.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering again with Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Neighbourhood Fund. Paul Hamlyn Foundation understands the value of being a good neighbour and putting local people at the forefront of finding solutions to community challenges.”
Sarah Benioff, Chief Executive, Islington Giving
Sarah continues: “This partnership will build on Islington Giving’s 15-year history of working together with key partners, such as Paul Hamlyn Foundation, alongside other funders, local businesses and residents, and shifting decision-making power to residents who know their area best. By working together as a coalition, we can make a real difference to entrenched inequality, poverty and other local challenges.”
About Young Camden Foundation
Young Camden Foundation is a membership organisation, supporting more than 170 Camden-based charities and CICs that offer services and support to children and young people.
“As Camden’s youth membership and infrastructure charity, we are proud to be working with PHF once again. We exist to champion and strengthen over 170 member organisations in their work with Camden’s children and young people, from arts, sports, specialist SEND support, universal youth work spaces, and everything in between.”
Daisy Srblin, Chief Executive Officer, Young Camden Foundation
Daisy continues: “At a time when 40% of our borough’s children live in poverty, and 80% of members have reported significantly increased need, working in collaboration is more important than ever, for a well-resourced and resilient youth sector. PHF recognises the importance of hyper-local systems change, and the ways in which local infrastructure requires investment, in order to sustain the quality and longevity of frontline play and youth work. We look forward to working together for the years to come.”
Head of Communications
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