Meet the Changemakers
On 8th June 2026, United St Saviour’s Charity and Active Communities Network came together to launch the Changemakers learning report, looking at lessons from a radical new approach to funding communities in Southwark — and to hand the microphone to the people the programme was built for.
The morning brought together funders, community partners, and several of the individuals who received micro grants through the programme. People who believe the best ideas for a community come from within it.
The programme
Approaching its twentieth year of working with residents and children across Southwark, Active Communities Network spotted a problem: unsung community heroes doing vital work, but unable to navigate the funding landscape to support it. ACN had the network and expertise to help. So they took a risk — small grants, light governance, real trust — and Changemakers was born.
Learning partners Julia and Azi reflected on what two years of working alongside grantees had revealed. Julia, who has worked in and around funding for twenty years, was direct: “What is going on is incredible. And this felt different.”
The small scale of the funding was exactly the point — it made it possible to take a raw idea and test it. But beyond the money, three things emerged as essential: access to premises, peer relationships, and emotional support for the weight that community leadership carries.
The message to funders was plain: “It wasn’t ‘here’s an application form, off you go’ — it was a supportive process.”
Voices from the programme
The heart of the morning was a panel with three Changemakers.
Dean — Southwark Residents
Dean organised a football event for 44 young people — seven were scouted by academies. As someone with dyslexia, most funding processes had been out of reach. This one wasn’t.
“This grant was actually accessible.”
“The biggest thing was having a place for young people to be seen by academies — for free. It takes the pressure off parents.”
“Keep going, keep applying — someone will help you. If you can do a little, we can do a lot.”
Zahurah — Akaash
Zahurah set up weekly fitness classes for South Asian women in Southwark who rarely left the house. The biggest shift wasn’t physical.
“The biggest difference was the mindset shift — showing them what exercise looks like in their living room.”
The grant did something for Zahurah too. “It was a vote of independence. I had self-doubt — but I grew in confidence and skillset.”
Bob — Manara Training
Bob arrived at a crossroads. The grant wasn’t large, but it was the thing that mattered most.
“It wasn’t a lot of money — but it was a vote of confidence. Belief played a pivotal role.”
“Lived experience can be as important as professional expertise.”
“You should be collaborating, not competing for funding. The power is in relationships.”
The Changemakers learning report is available in full here. If you work in funding, run a community project, or have an idea you’ve never had the support to test — it’s for you.
