Three party leaders launch charity to boost young people taking social action

The three party leaders – David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband – have united to become founding Patrons of a new charity, UpRising, whose programmes have been proven to more than double the number of young people aged 19-25 taking social action in their communities.

The charity will formerly launch at the Houses of Parliament today.

UpRising will be launched at a time when Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has reported social mobility in the UK is lower than in any developed country aside from Portugal.

UpRising works with talented young people from under represented groups, including those from white working class, black and ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities.

It provides them with leadership development training, ranging from public speaking, media training, and developing social action campaigning skills.

UpRising then connects them with current leaders in politics, business and civic society to act as mentors to them via an organised networking programme. “UpRisers” are then supported to engage in community projects and, in some cases even set up social enterprises – something alumni have been more able to achieve than the majority of the young population.

During 2014, UpRising plans increase the number on its programmes by tenfold - from the current 165 per year to 1800.

Already operational in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bedford, it will also expand into four further locations across the UK, and launch a number of new programmes.

Launched today as a new organisation, UpRising was co-founded five years ago by Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnal Green and Bow and shadow education minister as a project within The Young Foundation, a think-tank with a track-record of founding ventures that boost social mobility an opportunity, including the Open University and Which?

Of UpRising’s 450 alumni over the last five years while still a project of the Young Foundation, 66% have gone on to take part and lead social action campaigns in their communities after completing the programme – compared with only 29% of young people in Britain who currently take part in any form of regular volunteering with a social purpose.

A survey of these alumni has identified two key routes to this success: practical leadership experience, gaining employability skills and developing networks with leaders in power – and that taking social action is a proven way to develop both of these attributes.

On the launch of UpRising, David Cameron MP, Prime Minister, said: “Over the years Uprising has done incredible work for young people in Britain, helping people from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds rise into positions of leadership. I’m enormously proud to be an UpRising patron.

“The principles that have guided this organisation throughout its existence have never been more important.

"In Britain the idea that it’s not where you were born or who you parents are that matters – it’s who you are and what you can do for our country that counts.

“These are the values our country needs and it’s what UpRising throughout its existence has been all about.”

Nick Clegg, deputy Prime Minister, noted: “We need to create a fairer society where everyone can get ahead in life, regardless of where they were born or who they know. All young people should be given the support to develop the right skills and jobs they deserve.

“I’m immensely proud of what this Government is doing to develop career opportunities for hard-working and talented young people.

"I’m a patron of UpRising because I want Britain’s young people – from all backgrounds – to realise their full potential and help transform their local communities.”

And Ed Miliband MP, leader of the opposition, added: “The promise of Britain is that the next generation does better than the last. This can only happen if there is equality of opportunity.

"Too many young men and women are held back by lacking networks and opportunities others in more privileged positions take for granted.

"UpRising is working to change this, and has my full support. I would be delighted to see UpRising alumni make it to the 2020 Cabinet”.

Commenting on the launch, Rushanara Ali MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, chair and co-founder of UpRising, commented: “At a time when social mobility is a serious challenge, with nearly one million young people unemployed, this project provides the opportunity for young people to take up leadership positions and run social action campaigns in their community on issues they feel passionately about and that affect their lives."

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