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So, you want to change the world? We can help.
Co-founded in 2008 by our Chair, Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, UpRising was set-up in the face of the last economic shock to address systemic underrepresentation in positions of leadership in communities and work. Since then, we’ve supported over 4,000 young people directly who have in turn impacted more than 16,000 young people in communities across the country.
We believe that young people are uniquely placed to change the world - youth leadership can tackle pressing social challenges and encourage positive social change. Young people have the capacity to be powerful change-makers and influencers and at UpRising our mission is to support them to unlock their potential, which will have positive impacts for society at large.
The majority of those with power and influence in Britain today come from a narrow range of backgrounds. The Social Mobility Commission has found that inequality is now entrenched in Britain from birth to work, and that social mobility has remained virtually stagnant since 2014.
People from working class backgrounds earn on average 24% less per year than those from professional backgrounds. Even when those from working class backgrounds are successful in entering professional occupations, they earn on average 17% less than their more privileged colleagues. Young adults from ethnic minority backgrounds are 47% more likely to be on a zero hours contract than white young adults.
The Colour of Power project revealed that of the 1,000 senior leaders at the top of a range of different sectors across industry, the public and voluntary sectors, only 3% are from ethnic minorities.
Quite simply, we are failing to unlock the talent of diverse young people. Our society, our economy and our communities pay the price for this.
At UpRising, we know it's time for that to change. The UK should have leaders in every sector that reflect the population. Our society should enable social mobility and advance diversity and equality of representation. Young people are at the forefront of change and can achieve great things.
From the beginning of our programmes, we encourage young people to reflect on their strengths and develop their skills. Through carefully crafted, tried and tested sessions, we equip young people with the tools they need to achieve their goals. By the end of our programmes, young people are in a better position to fulfil their career aspirations and take on the leadership roles they deserve and jobs that are meaningful to them.