We are thrilled to announce a very special new project in partnership with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) that will bring an absolute tidal wave of fun, skills, experience and opportunity to young people.
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is launching Futures Lab, a brand-new project built with young people, for young people. Right now, the number of young people getting into sailing isn’t growing, and the RYA want to change that. The world’s moving fast… sport is evolving and barriers to participation from access or cost to competing life priorities are ever present.
That’s why the RYA is forming the Futures Lab, bringing a group of passionate 16–25-year olds into the heart of the organisation, to help shape the future of sailing and outdoor adventure. Rather than making assumptions about what young people want, Futures Lab will provide a platform for their ideas and experiences to guide meaningful change.
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Recruitment is now open for Futures Lab Members – young individuals who care about the outdoors, want to make a difference, and are ready to challenge the status quo. A whole raft of activities will be on offer, from sailing and yachting to water sports, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into something new and create wave in your life.
Sailing expertise isn’t even required; what matters is a commitment to fairness, inclusion, and creating
a sport that’s accessible and exciting for everyone.
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What members of the Futures Lab will gain
Volunteering as part of Futures Lab offers young people a meaningful opportunity to influence the work of the RYA and the future of sailing, making a lasting impact on the sport.
Members will receive free leadership training through us here at Unloc, including access to a bespoke
leadership academy featuring a hands-on residential experience, both on and off the water, and a dynamic leadership bootcamp designed to build confidence and practical skills. It’s gaining a wealth of leadership and tangible skills whilst having an amazing time, enjoying activities, and making new friends.
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Participants will join a growing network of inspiring young people from across the UK, united by a shared passion for making a difference. Additional opportunities to connect with professionals across the sporting world will be available throughout the programme.
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Additional ambassador benefits:
How it works
As the national governing body for sailing and windsurfing, the RYA represents a community of over 100,000 members, working with over 24,000 instructors, 250,000 volunteers, and more than 2,000 Recognised Training Centres across the UK.
Futures Lab Members will contribute directly to new and ongoing RYA initiatives, helping to shape national events, youth training programmes, and wider strategic decisions. Their input will ensure that future developments reflect the needs and aspirations of their generation.
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Members will take part in bi-monthly online ‘labs’ focused on identifying challenges and co-creating solutions through workshop-style sessions and there will also be opportunities for in-person gatherings throughout the year.
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Building on progress
The Future’s Lab is part of the RYA’s ongoing Reflections on Water campaign – connecting voices nationwide to drive real change. Guided by the RYA’s Together on Water strategy (launched in 2023), it is a milestone moment linking to the national governing bodies soon to be released Diversity & Inclusion Action plan.
The creation of the Future’s Lab has been in development for two years with young voices engaged in the creation of the project to ensure it will be valuable, relevant and engaging for all those involved.
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One such voice was Ellia Rhodes (21), from Greater Manchester and Chair of the new Futures Lab stating:
“Sailing is such a large part of my life, and I got involved in the programme because it was important to me that I help ensure there were opportunities for young people to have a positive impact in what we all love. For those considering joining the Futures Lab, I would say it’s a great opportunity to contribute to the sport in a welcoming place of likeminded people who are all passionate about wanting to make a difference in an ever-changing sport.”
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Sara Sutcliffe, RYA CEO said:
“The Futures Lab is an important step forward for the RYA, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the next generation of sailors and boaters. We want young people to thrive on and off the water, and this initiative is about giving them the skills, confidence, and opportunities to use their voices to shape what they love. We can’t wait to get them involved in the upcoming work, and I’m sure the programme will deliver exciting developments for years to come.”
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Our Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
“We’re beyond thrilled to be working with the RYA on the Futures Lab. Together we’re breaking down the barriers which convince some people that they can’t be a part of boating or that it’s only for a select few. Futures Lab members can also get involved with such a wide range of outdoor activities on the water, as well as getting a taste for the many types of careers and opportunities that this industry offers. We can’t wait to dive on in and get started on this exciting project!”
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For Future Lab ambassadors, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future sailing and help foster a community with the next generation at the heart of the conversation.
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Get Involved
If you’re aged 16–25, passionate about sailing, sport, or the outdoors, and want to make a difference, the RYA would love to hear from you.
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Click here now to apply to join Futures Lab!
Get ready to lace up your trainers and join Unloc for an exciting day at the Great Manchester Run! That’s right, the Unloc team are getting our steps in to help give young changemakers a step up, as we take on the infamous Great Manchester Run Half Marathon on Sunday 31st May 2026 to raise money for the Unloc Changemakers Fund, and we’d love you to join us.
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What to expect
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The Great Manchester Run offers a fast, flat course, an electric atmosphere, massive crowds, inclusive waves for all abilities (beginners to elites) and iconic city views, all offering a memorable UK running experience. A myriad of celebrities and radio and television personalities sign up to join in, from Radio DJs to Coronation Street stars and Love Island couples, you never know who you’re going to see running beside you.
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The Cause
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Last year’s event attracted over 26,000 participants who raised millions for good causes. This year we’re putting our hearts and ‘soles’ into raising money for the Unloc Changemakers Fund, a ring-fenced fund dedicated to awarding changemaker micro-grants to young people from disadvantaged communities. These grants give motivated young changemakers from across the UK the opportunity, resources and support they need to turn their ideas into real community-led projects that make a difference in their local area. With mentoring and guidance from Unloc, they can transform passion and creativity into determined and tangible social action.
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Join Us
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We are inviting our partners to join the movement and now is the perfect time to secure your place on our team, helping young people get their lives on track. Our finish line is their starting line for a brighter future.
What are you waiting for?
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Sign up, lace up and join us in Manchester this May by clicking here!
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Not able to run but want to support us? Click here to see our fundraising page
The Portsmouth Youth Cabinet’s End of Year Celebration was one to remember and an amazing way to end the 24/25 academic year! The Portsmouth Youth Cabinet (PYC), facilitated by Unloc and supported by Portsmouth City Council seeks to represent all young people in Portsmouth, hearing and amplifying their voices, and driving positive change.
We believe that Portsmouth is enhanced by the voices of the young people within it. It is our vision that an active and connected youth voice will have meaningful interactions and will influence decision-making, which will, in turn, enhance young people’s ability to thrive across the city.
The Portsmouth Youth Cabinet is led by Portsmouth’s Member of UK Youth Parliament (the MYP) who is a youth representative elected in a city-wide vote every two years, with the most recent elections having taken place in March 2024. The home of the Youth Cabinet is our Changemaker Studios: Portsmouth space within the Portsmouth Guildhall, so what better place to come together at the end of the 2024/25 academic year this Summer, and celebrate an incredible year of youth voice, action, and impact!
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We started the party with an Opening Speech from Mackenzie Bird, previous PYC Chairperson, who via video gave thanks to Jessi, PYC Facilitator, Maya, PYC Chairperson, and Amelia, the PYC Vice-Chair, as well as to all of the Youth Cabinet Members, stating “Today is all about celebrating you all and your amazing achievements – you should all be so proud of yourselves because I’m proud of you!”
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We also had a few messages of apologies and thanks for guests who were unable to attend the event but keen to thank everyone for their efforts and work in the Youth Cabinet and various projects the group had been able to contribute to.
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We then launched into an Energiser of a Picture Challenge. Everyone had to get into groups with a mix of PYC Members and guests and given 20 minutes to complete a variety of tasks to earn points! Tasks included taking a photo of all of the team members jumping (which deemed harder than it seems!), filming a one-minute video of one of the team members talking about why youth voice is so important, as well as making a PYC hero cape out of paper, tape and colouring pens, and then having the team take a photo pretending to be Avengers with one team member proudly wearing their hero cape!
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The three Subgroups of the Youth Cabinet each proudly reporting back, reflecting on their year, sharing their achievements, learnings and their upcoming plans:
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Climate Change and Environment
Climate Change and Environment spoke of the Climate Conference they hosted and facilitated, supported by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, back in April, their Student Voice Celebration Day Consultation with Years 1, 2 and 3 students, and their application for a Changemaker Grant of £250, which they were successful in gaining! The group hope to host another Climate Conference in 2026 to build on their success and learnings from the ‘pilot’ this year.
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Crime and Safety
Crime and Safety reported back on their learnings from their SVC Day Consultation with Year 5 students, as well as their findings from a survey looking at safety in the city. Their upcoming plans are to utilise Op Sceptre (Knife Crime Awareness) week in November where they hope to hold a consultation with young people around the issue.
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Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing celebrated the success of their survey and gained lots of useful responses to aid their work, their SVC Day Consultation with Year 4 students, and the group’s creation of a powerpoint focusing on Sexual Education. They are currently planning to consult more primary school children on their physical health.
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We are so proud of each subgroup for the hard work they’ve put into this year!
We then heard from the Executive Committee, who shared what the previous executive achieved, which included introducing lanyards, accountability sheets, youth voice updates and more. The new Executive Committees plans are to introduce a minute quiz, Song of the week and a brand new accountability sheet.
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They then shared what their outcomes of this would be, which were to keep everyone in contact between meetings and ensure everybody has read last meetings minutes in full.
Unloc’s Reporting Back of highlights not previously mentioned:
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Upcoming and looking forward to in the next academic year:
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We then moved onto Youth Voice activities which were packed with creative ways to share thoughts, opinions, and dreams for the future:
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We thank everyone for being involved and contributing to these activities!
After a break with delicious pizza, Maya and Amelia led our Circle energiser where everyone had to get into ‘order’ of their name, birthday and height, all without speaking to each other so having to use non-verbal communication to ‘speak’ to each other!
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We gave out the PYC Awards for people who we recognised for their amazing contributions to the Youth Cabinet:
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Kindness & Community – Acknowledging empathy, teamwork, encouragement, and how young people support others.
Cheerleader Award: For always uplifting peers – Oscar
Team Player Award: For always being helpful and cooperative – Cora
The Golden Rule Award: For always treating everyone with respect – Kaitlyn
Learning & Growth – Highlighting academic mindset, curiosity, progress, and dedication to learning.
Brainpower Award: For always showing sharp thinking – Freya
Curiosity Award: For asking great questions and loving to learn – Chan
Growth Mindset Award: For never giving up, no matter the challenge – Hope
Participation Pro Award: For always engaging and being involved – Meghan
Rising Star Award: For showing amazing progress this year- Dyuthi
Personality & Passion – Celebrating unique traits, energy, creativity, and the spark students bring to the group.
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Movement Maker: For big ideas and even bigger passion – Quinn
Big Energy Award: For bringing the hype, vibes, and volume – Lesley
Human Sparkler Award: For lighting up every room and meeting – Theo
Loud & Proud Award: For not being afraid to speak up and stand out – Daria
Idea Machine Award: For never running out of wild, brilliant, and doable ideas – Imi
Comedic Relief Award: For always bringing the laughs in meetings – Kam
Leadership & Advocacy- Recognising strong youth voice, leadership, and impact in advocacy and community change.
Resilience Award: For overcoming barriers to make a difference – Jayden
Youth Voice Innovation Award: For new approaches to youth participation – Austin
Peer Leader Award: For guiding, championing and uplifting peers – Mimi
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Bridge Builder Award: For connecting vital youth groups – Iulia
Youth Communicator Award: For excellence in representing youth perspectives – Henry
Emerging Leader Award: For a rising star showing exceptional potential – Hayden
Changemaker Award: For creating powerful and meaningful impact – Maheep
Voice of the Future Award: For honouring outstanding leadership in youth advocacy – Mackenzie
Youth Voice Champion: For consistent and powerful youth representation – Amelia
Bold Voice Award: For courageously speaking truth to power – Maya
Well done to everyone and thank you for everyone’s individual contributions to the Youth Cabinet and our success this year!
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To close off the evening, we heard from our Chairperson, Maya Choudhury. Maya said:
“Serving as Chairperson of the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet so far has been such a great honour. This year has been a testament to the power of young voices, your voices, and the change we can create when we speak up, show up, and stand together.’”
She spoke of the power of the three subgroups and being able to tackle issues that matter deeply to young people in Portsmouth, as well as being able to represent youth at events like the Mayor Making Ceremony and the Shaping Portsmouth Conference. She went on to thank every member of the Youth Cabinet, past and present; Jessi for ‘being the backbone of everything we do’; and Mackenzie whose ‘leadership laid the foundation for so much of what we’ve accomplished this year.’
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Maya finished by reminding everyone to ‘be bold, be kind, and let’s never forget that the future isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we build.’
What an amazing finish to a wonderful academic year full of passion, energetic and action by the wonderful young members of the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet. Every single one has been an inspiration and offered so much to the wider team and community around them, we can’t wait to see what the year ahead brings.
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For more information on Portsmouth Youth Cabinet click here!
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It’s that time of year when we invite our partners, stakeholders, schools, colleges and supporters to take a peek behind the curtain and see what we’ve been up to over the past 12 months. The past academic year has been an incredibly busy one for Unloc, we’ve achieved so so much, expanding our reach, developing our programmes, leading new and exciting initiatives, grown the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, and met some truly inspiring and motivating young people and business leaders.
From events such as our Changemaker Moments and Cash Kickstarters, Seed 2030 and another amazing year of The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, to programmes such as Young Women in Tech and Grow Your Ambition – the offer this past year has been wide-ranging, innovative, and covered so much new territory to improve the lives of the young people we work with.
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Here’s our Co-Founders Ben and Hayden to explain more.
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Download the report (below) by clicking the downward arrow button to the top right of the window, or by clicking the link underneath.
We hope you enjoy this overview of just a small sample of our work over the past 12 months, and to those of you who have worked with us, experienced our programmes or events, and helped us on our mission to empower young people – we couldn’t do it without you. Together we make such a difference to the futures of the next generation.
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One of the greatest things about our work at Unloc is getting to know, and work with such a wide and diverse range of people from all corners of industry. The kinds of people that we could have only ever dreamt of working with when we were at school ourselves – and each and every one brings something so unique to the table, contributing their own energy, interests and passion to the work we do with young people.
One of those individuals is Shelly Ashwill-Powers, a new member of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance family. Shelly has had such an interesting career journey as she has been with the same (sort of) company since college starting in 1989 with MCI. MCI was acquired by Verizon in 2006 and then created a partnership with HCLT in 2023. Shelly currently leads the role of SVP Client Services and Portfolio Management at HCL Technologies Limited.
We wanted to get to know Shelly better and find out more about her career journey, what’s inspired her, and what’s brought her to her current position. Our Marketing Manager Stu and Shelly spent some time getting to know each other and talking through the amazing career journey that Shelly has been on.
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Firstly, Shelly thank you for speaking with me today, I know how busy you are. It’s such a pleasure to have you working with us at Unloc. You’ve had such an impressive career and we’d love to hear more about your journey and success. Could you tell us about your early career and the key moments that helped shape your path to success?
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“It’s great to be with you Stu! I joined MCI right out of college as a National Accounts Service manager. My objective in obtaining my first professional job was to join a company that was in the tech industry and that had strong potential for growth. I have since been with MCI now Verizon (and now via a partnership between HCLT and Verizon) for 36 years!
I’ve worked in many aspects of Verizon including marketing, program management, sales, operations, enterprise and public sector. I would not change anything from a career perspective. I learned very early on that your attributes, capabilities, work ethic and commitment are incredibly important in your long term career.
One of my early executive senior leaders stated that you want to always be one of 5 people that a leader wants to work with. If that is true, you will always be in demand. That shaped my early years in wanting to always be one of the top employees that people wanted on their team. Later that shifted to inspiration in coaching my team.“
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Was there anyone who inspired you when you were young? And were there any pivotal mentors or role models who influenced your professional development, especially in your early years?
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“My father was a CFO for many successful companies. He was born into a family with little money. My dad and his 2 brothers all had an incredible work ethic. They each put themselves through school and each ended up being very successful. They each made a name for themself and created opportunities for their families and the next generation of leaders. They were each determined to make a better life for themselves and their families.
It was this work ethic that I picked up from my father and carried with me in my own career. I also have felt strongly that I never want to have any regrets. I genuinely strive to make a difference every day.“
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Looking back, what skills do you wish you had developed earlier in your career?
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“I didn’t have a technical degree. I had an English degree with a Marketing minor. I wish that I had majored in the tech industry, as I think my value would have been higher. Certainly I learned to be technical, but that was one learning that I had earlier in my career.“
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Why do you believe upskilling young people is so vital in today’s rapidly evolving job market?
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“Being adaptable to the market and understanding where the trends are heading is super important. If you’re not moving forward you are behind. There is a quote I love that says “the pace of change will never again be this slow”. This is so true. Things are happening at a rapid pace and as a result, your skills, capabilities, and value need to constantly be evaluated and refined. Being a “curious learner” is critical in today’s market.“
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What are some of the most critical skills you think young people need to succeed in the workplace today – and in the future?
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“In my opinion, success and happiness come down to the basics. Are you a good person? Do you make those around you better? Do you work hard? Do you create value? Do you work with integrity?
I find those leaders that are truly successful are humble, they are smart, they take care of people, they learn. It’s really not complicated but it does require consistency and effort.“
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How do you think businesses can better support the transition from education to employment, especially for young people from underserved communities?
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“The internet is such a gift. It really levels the playing field for everyone. We can all learn, we have the same 24 hours in a day. Businesses are looking for people that do their homework. They prepare for interviews, they have done the research on the business and the people at the company.
They have researched their earnings, they have read their annual report, they understand how the business makes money and why their service or products matter. Being prepared is a must in today’s environment.“
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What advice would you give to a young person today who feels unsure about their future career path?
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“It’s all ok! Every professional experience shapes who you are as a person. I would very much encourage young people to take risks, find people you really want to work with… those that inspire you. If you’re excited to go to work every day, you are at the right place. I remember being so excited to go to the office when I first started working. I loved to dress up, have my own desk, work with people, have projects etc. It just made me so happy and I felt needed and important.“
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Your support for Unloc is so appreciated, we know that you champion equal opportunities for all young people. Why is this mission important to you personally?
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“Young people are the future of our world. They see things differently than the last several generations. I’m so excited to help them build the next chapter of what matters. If they can leverage our experiences to improve how we live and work, that’s magical. I also feel very strongly about diversity in the workplace and leveraging different minds to build a better future. A homogenous world is boring and won’t drive the results that are needed.“
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What motivates you to give back and invest in the next generation of professionals?
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“I’m more motivated than ever to assist the next generation of leaders in achieving their goals and making room for creative innovation and change. I’m inspired by global challenges that require collaboration and new ideas that spark solutions.“
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If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
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“I don’t really have any regrets. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had a vibrant career. All experiences are positive because you learn. Even if a negative situation happens, it makes you stronger.
Perhaps I should not have worked so hard 🙂 That might be one thing I would change, but it’s in my DNA.“
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What legacy do you hope to leave behind—not just in business, but in terms of impact on young people’s lives?
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“Oh, this is easy. That you remember me for being a caring person that wants every interaction to be memorable and that you feel special.”
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Shelly thank you so much, that was really insightful, and there’s some wonderful advice in there for the young people we work with (and for us as well!). I know how super busy you are, and I really appreciate you taking some time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today. We can’t wait to work more with you now that you’re a part of the Unloc family, and we look forward to getting to know you better as we move forwards!
Watch this space for more motivational interviews with inspiring professionals, young people, entrepreneurs and organisations who are changing the game for young people.
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To find out more about the Unloc Changemaker Alliance click here
What a whirlwind of inspiration, energy and learning these past two weeks have been at Innovation Fest 2025! As you know, at Unloc we love to innovate, look at different perspectives, and find new, unique and dynamic ways to to do things. Each Summer the Unloc team enjoy a wide range of activities based around the topic of innovation in order to do this, from powerful staff-led sessions to guest speakers who challenge and inspire us, the festival this year has been a true celebration of creativity, collaboration, and connection.
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We kicked things off with Unloc staff speed sharing and wow, what an awesome team we are! The energy in the room was electric, and it was clear this is something we need to do much more often.
Next up, Joshua Dale brought co-production with young people to life, introducing us to the story behind his brilliant invention “Can’t Say Um”. His journey of game inventions added so much value, and fun to the day.
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We then welcomed back Josh Robinson, who built on his incredible session from our Innovation Fest event last year. This time, Josh wowed us with marketing ads designed to spark discussions, helping us dive deeper into the art of influence. He broke down the jargon, making marketing crystal clear and relevant for our work with young people. His golden reminder: “Social media is a room – make sure you’re seen in the right ones. Influence isn’t ego, it’s trust, value, and confidence. And confidence comes from evidence, so let’s get posting!”
To round off Week 1, Tom Lloyd led “When Tom Met Sally”, exploring Your Special Sauce, the Power of Questioning, and that timeless truth – people buy from people they like. A really great session about Networlking.
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We were honoured to welcome Ahmad Jooma (aka Shook Man), who took us on a powerful journey of possibility. His message was clear: when we connect with ourselves, we connect more deeply with others. Young people are tuned into authenticity and this session gave us the tools to tap into our own. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to align purpose, passion, and impact.
Of course, no festival is complete without some fun and our staff summer social at Flight Club (plus ice cream in Buckingham Palace Gardens!) hit the spot.
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We then got hands-on with Podcast 101, guided by two amazing young podcasters in our Portsmouth Changemaker Studios. From learning the equipment to recording our own clips, it was a playful and practical session with Jess on hand to help us see how podcasting can become a powerful resource for our young people and programmes.
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Finally, to close two inspiring weeks, Larissa led us through reflection and feedback, before we wrapped things up in style with a rejuvenating yoga session with Curvaceous Carla, followed by a special guest appearance from TV and radio presenter Hayley Palmer. Hearing her personal story and career journey was both uplifting and motivating, and the finale, a celeb-style interview with our very own Ben Dowling ended Innovation Fest on a true high.
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Unloc’s Co-Founder & Chief Executive Hayden Taylor commented:
“Another Innovation Fest comes to an end, and once again the team have knocked it out the park when it comes to thinking outside the box, trying new things, and investigating dynamic fresh approaches to teaching, learning and sharing. Each Summer we like to take this time to step back and look at where we’ve been, where we’re going – and how we can best get there! Innovation and Technology have always been at the heart of our approach to educating and empowerment, and hearing from different members of the team, and those guests we’ve welcomed in to speak and share – really helps broaden all our horizons and perspectives.
Well done to everyone who helped put this year’s event schedule together, in particular Beth and Jess who have worked relentlessly to make it a roaring success. I can’t wait to see what you have planned for next year!”
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Innovation Fest 2025 has reminded us that innovation isn’t just about new ideas, it’s about people. The connections we make, the stories we share, and the courage to show up authentically all fuel the work we do with young people.
Here’s to more sharing, more learning, and more innovation together!
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Unstoppable Energy, Unforgettable Impact: Inside the First-Ever Student Governor Destinations Conference in London 2025
What do you get when you combine the ambition of young changemakers, the prestige of Burberry’s London headquarters, and a powerful collaboration between Unloc and Rockborn? You get an electric, inspiring, and unforgettable day that marked the launch of the very first Student Governor Destinations Conference, AND our first ever Student Governor of the Year Award, and we are still buzzing from it.
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This wasn’t just another conference. It was a celebration of student leadership, a gathering of passionate voices, and a platform to spotlight those making real change in their colleges and communities. And yes, it absolutely lived up to the hype.
From the very first moment, the energy in the room was undeniable. The space was packed with student governors, governance professionals, and inspiring thought leaders from across the country. The goal? To elevate, connect, and empower a new generation of changemakers. Recognise their input and impact, learn best practice from one another, network and celebrate the difference they make.
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The day was filled with dynamic workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, but it was the atmosphere that truly made it special, the kind of buzz you only get when people are genuinely passionate about what they’re doing.
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And the speaker lineup? Next level. We were joined by a stellar cast of changemakers and leaders who shared their insights and stories, including:
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Their collective message was clear: student voice matters, and young leaders are not just the future, they are the now.
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But the day wasn’t just about conversation. It was about recognition too. For the very first time, we held the Student Governor of the Year Award ceremony, and the response was overwhelming. For the passt few months colleges across the country have nominated their standout governors, and the calibre of nominees was nothing short of inspiring. Choosing a winner was no easy task for the panel, in fact, it was a total nightmare.
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After much consideration, we were thrilled to present the award to Ivy Knight, a 20-year-old floristry student from Moulton College. Ivy has been a force for good at her college since 2021, using her role as a Student Governor to drive meaningful change — and always doing it with integrity, courage, and heart.
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From joining sustainability and EDI groups to calling out issues like bullying, accessibility, and environmental shortcomings, Ivy has shown what it means to lead with purpose. Her attention to detail, her relentless drive, and her commitment to improvement are exactly what this award was designed to celebrate. Ivy always confidently and appropriately calls it out when things need improving, be this bullying of the LGBTQ+ community, poor accessibility for wheelchair users or lack of information around sustainability. Ivy didn’t just speak up — she created change.
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As Ivy herself puts it:
“I’ve always been passionate about making a difference and having my voice heard, and participating as a Student Governor gave me a platform to channel this alongside my studies.”
Well said, Ivy, and well deserved.
The Student Governor Destinations Conference wasn’t just a success, it was a movement in motion. We’re beyond proud to have launched this event with our brilliant partners at Rockborn and to have celebrated the power of student leadership in such a bold and vibrant way.
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To everyone who attended, contributed, nominated, or simply cheered from afar: thank you. You made this event what it was, energetic, empowering, and absolutely unforgettable. Also special thanks to another partner of Unloc, the amazing team at Burberry for providing such a fantastic venue to hold this debut event. We appreciate you!
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Here’s to Ivy. Here’s to every student governor out there. And here’s to the future they’re already shaping, we’ll see you at next year’s Destination Conference event!
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To find out more about Rockborn click here
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To find out more about Burberry click here
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We’ve got BIG news. For those that saw our three year strategic plan last Summer, we have big plans for our Unloc, expanding our reach, our offer, and our impact on the young people we work with around the country. Unloc is officially stepping into its next era of impact and innovation, and we’re doing it with a major boost: a powerful new social investment to supercharge our mission!
We’ve always said we’re here to shake things up in education, training and youth opportunities, and now, thanks to Big Issue Invest – we’ve got the fuel to take that ambition sky-high!
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What IS Social Investment anyway?
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Think of social investment as a financial jetpack for mission-driven organisations like us. Its funding is designed not for the ‘day-to-day’ but to scale our impact, test new ideas, and invest in the future. And the best part? It’s built around the idea that doing good should also be sustainable.
Unlike your traditional bank loan, social investment is tailored for social enterprises and comes with support, flexibility, and real-world understanding. After scoping out the scene, the incredible team at Big Issue Invest – a well-known champion in the sector – have provided Unloc with a £21,600 grant and a £158,400 loan.
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Who are Big Issue Invest?
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Big Issue Invest are an organisation who invest in social enterprises, creating core solutions with an aim to end poverty in the UK. Founded by impact entrepreneurs John Bird and Nigel Kershaw from the well known Big Issue Group, they are one of the UK’s leaders in social impact investing.
Since 2005 they have invested over £100 million in hundreds of social impact organisations, all who share the Big Issue Group’s mission to dismantle poverty and inequality through social business solutions. Through their grants and funding they help grow organisations with a social mission or purpose, providing access to funding, support, and a network committed to their growth and impact.
Recognising the alignment with our own values to level the playing field, help end inequality and provide young people from all backgrounds, cultures and situations with opportunities and training, we knew they were the right organisation to join forces with. The funding will help move us forward with our expansion plans and develop our offer to young people in the UK.
With the help of this inspiring organisation, we are sharpening our business and marketing strategies, moving forwards and growing our business.
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Where’s the investment going?
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We’re not just throwing money around. Every penny is being strategically invested in projects that push us forward.
1. Hello Leeds!
Following our success in London and Portsmouth, Unloc is heading up north! We’re so excited to be launching our Leeds Hub in Leeds City Centre, and this funding helps us get off the ground, connect with local partners, and make it self-sustaining in two years. We’re getting northern powerhouse vibes!
2. Taster workshops: Try Before You Buy
We believe in showing, not just telling. So we’re offering free taster workshops, because nothing beats ‘experiencing’ the Unloc magic first-hand. We believe in who we are and what we do, we believe in our product, and we know you will too. One session is all it takes to see changemaking in process.
3. Grant writing power-up
To grow our amazing community-based work, we’re bringing in a professional Grant Writer to help us win more funding. It’s like levelling up for us, we’re playing smarter and harder to ensure we have the right support, funding and guidance to help us expand for the future.
4. Next-level marketing
Our marketing team has been crushing it over the past five years, if you’ve been following Unloc’s growth you’ll have seen a total transformation in our image and brand. Now, with our recent expansion to have an in-house videography team we’re scaling up video content with a focus on engaging young people directly, using youth voice as a tool, launching new programme reels, refreshing our website and supercharging our brand presence. Gen Z? We’re talking directly to you now!
5. Tech + space upgrades
Our Changemaker Studios in Portsmouth and London are getting some serious tech upgrades with new CleverTouch screens, hybrid conferencing systems, iPads and more. Guided by our awesome Innovation Champions, these upgrades will make our spaces more creative, collaborative, and cutting-edge than ever.
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Why this matters
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This isn’t just about money. It’s about momentum. It’s about doubling down on our mission to empower the next generation. It’s about dreaming bigger, working smarter, and showing what’s possible when you back a bold vision with the right support.
We have an amazing team of vibrant, visionary and dynamic staff. We just needed a bit of support to build the infrastructure around them to deliver in new regions, the tools and tech around them to help support them, and the means to deliver the words and experiences of the young people they work with each and every day.
Most of all, it’s about the young people, they are, after all – the very reason we’re here in the first place. They are quite literally the future, the spark, the reason we do what we do.
We’re building a better, bolder Unloc. This investment is just the beginning.
Watch this space.
What a year 2025 has been so far, and it just gets bigger and better – we are so excited to announce that we are expanding our wide range of specialist programmes, courses and events into the Leeds area this September just in time for the Autumn term!
We have long had our sights on bringing our innovative programmes to the Leeds city region, having delivered previous programmes and events there, we’ve seen that we can have a strong and positive impact on the region and make a lasting difference in the lives of the young people there, empowering and equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.
Our vision for Leeds is clear: to help young people build confidence, become young changemakers, develop entrepreneurial mindsets, and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
We believe that every young person has the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, and we work hard to level the playing field by connecting talent to opportunity, tackling inequalities, using their voice for the good of all, and promoting social justice.
Bringing our mindset, skills and knowledge to Leeds is an exciting new journey for us at Unloc, building upon our dedicated teams in London and Portsmouth, and widening our reach. Our facilitators will be based in Leeds City Centre, ensuring that our programmes are responsive to the local needs and aspirations of young people in the area.
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How will local people and industry be involved?
Firmly believing in the power of partnerships, we’ll work closely with local youth organisations, businesses, industry, and the local authority to ensure that programmes complement existing efforts in the community. We are already incredibly proud to be partnered with Burberry, based in the City Centre, and are also working with the Luminate Education Group, by collaborating with local partners we can amplify their impact and create a more supportive network for young people to grow and flourish.
Volunteers from local businesses will play an active role in our programme roll-out. These volunteers will bring real-world knowledge and expertise to Unloc’s initiatives, providing young people with valuable insights into the world of work, behind the scenes experience across a range of industries, and the ability to connect and communicate with professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and careers.
What are our goals in Leeds?
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How we will achieve our vision in Leeds
We will be taking a multi-faceted approach to empower young people in Leeds, tailoring our programmes to the needs of the young people in the region, reaching all ages and levels of knowledge. This will involve a series of dynamic Changemaker Challenge Days for both Primary and Secondary Schools, Enterprise Events aimed at growing the mind of an entrepreneur, Changemaker Moments Events and Leadership Bootcamps.
Each event is focused on developing confidence, an entrepreneurial mindset, employability skills, incubating a ‘changemaker outlook’, and encouraging career aspirations. They’ll enjoy skills workshops, learn from professionals, engage with reverse-mentoring, develop core employability skills, network with local entrepreneurs and develop the mindset of a changemaker – recognising how to make positive change and effect impact in their communities and wider society.
These skills will help empower young people and connect diverse talent with industry, networking with professionals and career experts, and creating clear pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and being an empowered changemaker.
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Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
“We could not be more excited to bring the Unloc method of creating, developing and empowering young changemakers to the Leeds area. We know from our previous events just how passionate and engaged young people in the region are, and we have heard from them directly on the issues they face and the changes that they want to see, and create in society.”
“At Unloc our speciality is not just equipping young people with a changemaker mindset, but also empowering them with the confidence, the skills and the tools to create the positive change they want to see. Not just see the change – be the change.“
“If you’re a business owner, a skilled professional or an entrepreneur in the Leeds area, and you’d like to be involved in inspiring future generations – then we would love to hear from you. Involving the industry, professionals and community of Leeds is so important to what we want to achieve. Whether you’re interested in sponsoring a programme, engaging young people with your business, being a guestspeaker, providing opportunities, or engaging with creating positive change in the community – we’d love to hear from you.”
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How can local businesses in Leeds get involved?
Unloc’s programmes and events offer businesses, industry, partners and entrepreneurs an opportunity to make a tangible, positive impact on the community while also reaping the benefits of increased visibility and engagement.
Sponsor an Unloc programme or event and become an active part in nurturing young talent and empowering young people. Your sponsorship helps Unloc to deliver their vision – offering young people exclusive opportunities and connections with industry which inspires and empowers them on their career path.
It also gives you the opportunity to engage your employees with a greater aim, share knowledge and experience, champion your brand, and raise awareness of your journey, what you do and what you stand for. The inspiration and motivation your knowledge and experience can provide to young people is invaluable.
Interested in sponsoring an Unloc programme or being involved?
Whilst we won’t be officially launching until the Autumn, we’re currently building out our strategy and roll-out. We firmly believe it’s those on-the-ground local stories and professionals that make all the difference, people that can talk face to face, answer questions, and share lived career experience.
If you’d like to get involved and do something inspiring for the generation of tomorrow, be a guest speaker, attend a session or sponsor a programme or event – we would love to hear from you. Together we can make a difference.
Email [email protected] for an initial conversation.
For more information on Unloc visit: unloc.org.uk
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We are thrilled to announce that in partnership with Rockborn, we are launching a search nationwide for the UK’s Student Governor of the Year 2025! This new award aims to recognise and appreciate the important contribution that student voice and leadership has to a college environment, celebrating those Student Governors who work as the voice of students to improve their college, it’s services and support, and ensure that student needs are met.
It’s estimated that around 900 Student Governors work within their colleges around the country each year. As the voice of student leadership, their platform provides young people with the opportunity to inform and have a say in their education, helping to shape their college environment and the services they offer.
Together Unloc and Rockborn have long recognised the importance of student leadership and student voice in the education environment, rolling out our comprehensive Student Governor Changemaker Programme across the UK this year to provide the highest level of support and training to Student Governors as they get to grips with their role and learn how to have a positive impact, working with both education professionals, school boards, key figures and students themselves to achieve tangible outcomes that enhance and improve their education experience.
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At Unloc we have long championed, supported and invested in Student Governors across the FE sector, most notably through their dedicated training and support programmes, student voice workshops, and in-depth governance training for young people.
Rockborn boast an impressive track record of success as management and governance consultants in the Further Education sector, long supporting Further Education boards through governance reviews, training, consultancy and project managing mergers in the sector.
Both our organisations cultivate exceptional learning environments, working with staff, boards and young leaders to develop rich and vibrant educational spaces that allow young people to flourish. Now we are asking colleges across the country to nominate their Student Governors, recognising them for the excellent work they do, and the important contribution they make to their college.
To nominate a Student Governor is very easy, colleges are invited to complete a very simple online application form by clicking the button below. It only takes a few minutes, and asks for a few details about the young person being nominated, and why they should win the award.
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Click here to nominate your Student Governor!
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The deadline for nominations is 30th April 2025.
The 2025 Student Governor of the Year will be announced this Summer at Unloc’s Student Governor Destination Conference to be held in London. Further details to be announced.
All nominees will also receive a certificate of commendation to recognise their contribution to their college and the wider education sector.
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Unloc’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Hayden Taylor said:
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“We are incredibly excited to be launching the 2025 Student Governor of the Year Award, a chance to recognise and celebrate the contributions, impact and dedication of Student Governors across the country, acknowledging the positive change they make within their colleges, and to the community around them. Recognising the important contribution young governors make in their learning environment is so important, so we’re asking colleges to take five minutes out to nominate the Student Governors who make a difference in their college, one of which will be picked as our 2025 Student Governor of the Year!”
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Rockborn’s Company Director Peter Ryder said:
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“Rockborn is really proud to be sponsoring the Unloc Student Governor Changemaker Programme and to be getting behind this new award. We’d like to encourage colleges that want to nominate a Student Governor to fill in a very short application form, it will only take five minutes, and recognise your Student Governor’s contribution!”
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For more information about the Unloc Student Governor Changemaker Programme click here
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For more information on Unloc’s school and college programmes click here
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For more information about Rockborn and their services click here
Nominate your Student Governor now by clicking here!
We are thrilled to announce a very special new project in partnership with the Royal Yachting Association that will bring an absolute tidal wave of fun and opportunity to young people.
Get ready to lace up your trainers and join Unloc for an exciting day at the Great Manchester Run! We’re getting our steps in to help give young changemakers a step up, as we take on the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon!
Check our our latest blog on an amazing groups of young people, the Aldershot Army Welfare Service Youth Voice Ambassadors Group, who won the Group Achievement Award in the Hart Youth Achievement Awards 2025!
The Portsmouth Youth Cabinet’s End of Year Celebration was one to remember and an amazing way to end the 24/25 academic year!
We are thrilled to announce a very special new project in partnership with the Royal Yachting Association that will bring an absolute tidal wave of fun and opportunity to young people.
Get ready to lace up your trainers and join Unloc for an exciting day at the Great Manchester Run! We’re getting our steps in to help give young changemakers a step up, as we take on the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon!
Check our our latest blog on an amazing groups of young people, the Aldershot Army Welfare Service Youth Voice Ambassadors Group, who won the Group Achievement Award in the Hart Youth Achievement Awards 2025!
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