🗣️ Speaking Out: ‘This is the first time I’ve spoken about poverty.’ (Young Woman, aged 15)
💡 Young people told us they want to discuss poverty but need safe spaces where they feel heard and not judged.
This is our second post highlighting key messages from the Potential Not Poverty report presenting the what’s really happening in young Londoners lives—and what must change. The report presents work undertaken by young people taking part in @xlplondon young leaders' programme, facilitated by @priority_154
A common theme raised by young people was lack of opportunities to speak out about poverty. They also told us how hard it can be to talk openly about these issues, and the importance of having safe spaces where they feel listened to, without feeling judged.
That’s why underpinning this work with the Lundy Model was so critical. Taking time to build trust, alongside using inclusive and creative methods, helped young people engage on their terms, speak more openly, and share difficult and sensitive issues that they hadn’t spoken about before.
Read the the report to hear directly from young people about how they are navigating poverty: /youthvoice
What is Poverty? "Being poor is not having time to be a kid." (Young Londoner, aged 15)
Poverty puts adult pressures on children that can lead to missing out on childhood itself.
Today marks the release of the latest child poverty figures - and behind every statistic are real children and young people living with the impact of poverty every day.
In autumn 2025, we set out to do something simple, yet too often overlooked: listen directly to young people about their experiences of poverty and financial hardship. The expert team at Priority 1-54 made up of John Khan and Tom Goulden partnered with 4in10 member XLP to bring together young people from communities across London. Together, they explored not only their own experiences, but also what they see happening to friends and peers.
Their report Potential Not Poverty reveals what’s really happening in their lives—and what must change. It is essential reading for all those committed to working towards a child poverty free London: https://lnkd.in/eMhYSYEn
A huge thanks to the young people who participated in the workshops between November 2025 and February 2026 for sharing their voices and experiences and to XLP staff for their incredible support with this work.
Such a great workshop at Orchard House children’s residential and respite home ! The outstanding staff have placed faith in me to create some street art inspired canvases with their residents, most of which have profound support needs . I love the challenge of a new working flow and creating something sensory and experimental instead of my typical version of ‘finished’ hope I can go back soon!
It’s so important that we create spaces for young people to speak openly about the realities they face, including how poverty and inequality affects their lives.
The @xlplondon Youth Leaders Programme, funded by @4in10london and @trustforlondon , is a fantastic example of this. Conversations facilitatd by @priority_154 empowered them to share their experiences of growing up in poverty, learn about their rights and start shaping their own vision for the future.
It was a privillege to take part in these conversations and hear their visions for a fairer London. The @mayorofldn and I will continue to tackle inequality across London so that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.
@4in10london@xlplondon@priority_154@trustforlondon
Young people from myriad youth voice groups helped us last week with designing the perfect community asset to help give ideas to commissioners about what why where and how our public spaces can be assets to young people if done right . Such as a slide between floors and no adults 😂😂😂love it ! #assetbasedcommunitydevelopment #youthvoice #spaceplaceaudienceinfluence #lundymodel
Ace primary school project for @heart.of.sidley from late last year . The team work to create so many artworks from the young people was amazing . If every production line In The world had this much joy and agency no one would mind the graft !!!! 😉
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to hold workshops with the incredibly talented pupils of All Saints and experienced graffiti artist Tom from @priority_154 thanks to @motivatesussex 🎨 Just look at their amazing artwork now featuring at our Sidley Hub construction site ♥️👌🏼 big thank you to all involved, it’s looking great! #heartofsidley #sidleyhub #community #partnership #priority154 #youth #art #streetart #motivate
Wildy busy week starting with @bfestbrighton@brightonyouthcentre to hang incredible work from our ‘I’m listening’ girls rights group for its grand opening !! Game changer for youth work in the city @hannahcoxeter@bycmike amazing !!! Then voice of the child workshops all week with East Sussex Social work practice teams and managers learning and giving a platform for young people to speak on about complex feedback on having social work involvement. Then myriad workshops in secure units , send provision in Worthing and loads more ! Capped the week off with @east_sussex_youth_cabinet doing a bite sized lonliness campaign ! Brilliant
Reallly nice to land a random commission for a great cause. Painting this food respect and support project in Cardiff . The weather was a real hindrance so didn’t get the chance to give it the detail it deserved but the primary school setting were happy so I’m happy !!
At Tarner we believe that self-expression is important for young people, which is why we had Tom Golding from @priority_154 do a creative workshop with our holiday playscheme children. Don’t they look fantastic! 🤩
#tarner #grafitti #holidayclub #childcare #brighton
