Shantona Women’s Services Receives Funding for Youth Project

New funding aims to support young people in Harehills

Shantona Women’s and Family Services has been awarded £123,353 over three years through the Lead the Change programme, administered by Leeds Community Foundation. This funding is part of a wider £2.6 million investment granted to 21 organisations across the UK to support youth-led initiatives that foster stronger, more connected communities.

Lead the Change programme and its objectives

The Lead the Change funding scheme supports projects that empower young people to address social divisions and promote positive change within their local areas. The 21 successful projects were selected by a panel of 10 young grant-makers aged between 19 and 25, representing diverse backgrounds and experiences from across the UK.

The funded organisations will collaborate with young people to:

• Create safe and inclusive community spaces
• Support youth-led social action
• Build leadership skills
• Encourage meaningful participation in community life

Activities include workshops, mentoring, community projects, and opportunities for young people to influence decision-making processes. The programme aims to challenge harmful narratives, strengthen positive relationships, and promote social cohesion.

Shantona’s We Lead Our Future project

Shantona’s funding will support the We Lead Our Future initiative, a three-year youth-led partnership involving Getaway Girls, NANU Foundation, and CATCH. The project targets young people aged 13 to 19 in Harehills, focusing on challenging racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination.

The programme, co-designed with young people, will offer opportunities to explore community issues, develop digital campaigns based on lived experiences, and facilitate conversations to build understanding and inclusion. Over the course of three years:

• 135 young people will be directly involved in shaping and delivering activities
• A further 300 individuals will be reached through peer-led events and discussions

Participants will develop confidence, digital skills, and critical thinking, enabling them to become advocates for positive change and contribute to fostering a greater sense of belonging across East Leeds.

Comments from Shantona Women’s and Family Services

Nahid Rasool, CEO of Shantona Women’s and Family Services, said: “We’re thrilled to receive funding through Lead the Change to create opportunities for young people of Harehills to come together, build relationships and develop their awareness of the issues that matter most to them. By putting young people at the heart of the work, we hope to strengthen belonging and create positive, lasting change in our community, without feeling excluded.”

Partnership and funding details

Lead the Change is delivered in partnership with several organisations, including BBC Children in Need, Co-op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations, and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Source: Leeds Community Foundation