Akeela Ahmed MBE

'The launch of the Centre for Young Lives #RaisingTheNation Play Commission' - Paul Lindley OBE ⤵️ We launch our Commission in the middle of an election campaign and with huge political decisions ahead, first for voters and then for a new Parliament. As those decisions are made, the future of our children must be at the centre of the debate. Politicians should ask how our children can thrive: how they can feel significant, be confident, have life affirming childhoods and become the people that they each have the potential to be. Because thriving childhoods reflect thriving societies, and as play is central to thriving childhoods, it should be central to political decision-making. The way children explore, experiment and build an understanding of the world really matters. That is why, we have created the Raising the Nation Play Commission: to stimulate a conversation, gather evidence, demand barriers to play are broken down and to offer a framework for government to create an environment, facilities, time and a culture for children to do their work – and play. We will deliver our findings, and a plan for the Government to consider, on 11 June 2025 – the second International Day of Play.  As we begin our journey, we invite your contributions, ideas, energy and support! #Play #FreePlay #PlaySufficiency #PhysicalActivity #PhysicalLiteracy #Recreation #ActiveTravel #PlayStreet #StreetPlay #HomeZones #Playces #Splace #FreerangeUrbanNeighbourhoods #FUN #KnowBallGames #Parks #Playgrounds #UNCRC #Article31

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Really proud of this one. Today, UK Youth is publishing a new report with Institute for Government that sets out a clear path for government to unlock the power of preventative services, including youth work. https://lnkd.in/e8vEYwDf Preventative local authority spending on services like youth clubs and children’s centres was cut by more than three-quarters (77.9%) between 2009/10 and 2022/23, while acute spending on looked after children and safeguarding services rose by more than half (58.1%) over the same period. This is bad economics and it is hurting young people. Rather than just point out the problem, this report sets out a clear roadmap for the next government to transform millions of lives and save billions of pounds. The rapidly rising needs of young people – with threats to their mental health, employment, and even physical safety – are not inevitable. We have clear evidence of what works to change this trend. Now we need policymakers to play their part and make the long-term commitment required.

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See my recent blog about why Foundations new REACH five year plan to find out what works to prevent domestic abuse and support child victims matters to local children's services leaders

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Storytelling is an incredibly powerful means for human connection, understanding, and recovery.  Recommend this to #ukhousing people.

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NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) has released the Partners for Change report, which was funded by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It's an insightful strategy proposal for the next government to consider as it's packed out with information about what the government could do to move philanthropy in the UK forward. There are: 🎯 Eight recommendations for putting the partnership between government and charities on a strong footing 🎯 Nine recommendations in priority policy areas where civil society and government can work together to make change 🎯 Nine recommendations about how charities and funders can work together. Includes topics about in-house giving strategies, how impact and data can be used, ways the inequalities that society is addressing could be addressed, how giving can be used to respond to the climate crisis, how giving can guide the government's response to criminal justice, and how children and young people should have a seat at the table. Let's continue to work together to make change happen. #makingchange #philanthropy #givingstrategies https://lnkd.in/ewu7yTHS

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Our new podcast is live! Join Karylle Phillips and I as we explore the power and ethics of sharing lived experiences, in our first episode of our new podcast: ‘Conversation that Care’ Listen or watch below. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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The Power of the Black Vote I ran for Mayor of the West Midlands for 3 key reasons: 1. To get the issues of inequality, democracy, and planet action on the agenda 2. To represent the Green Party 3. To combat the lack of representation of Black community leaders in the system! In my Capacity as Vice Chair of Birmingham Race Impact Group we have been working with Operation Black Vote, Black Equity Organisation & The Legacy Centre of Excellence to increase participation and representation of Black youth in the political system. This event on 16th May 6pm is intended to:  Unlock the transformative potential our youth vote in shaping the future  Rallying Black youth to the polls  Amplify our voices in addressing the issues that matter most. Whether that’s the criminalisation of our youth, protecting our rights to protest, the rise and ‘sanctioning’ of racism or unequal treatment & outcomes in so many of our services. Together, let us shape a 21st century Britain that values us and contribute to the development of “Black Britain's Mandate,” a unifying force that aims to empower diverse voices within the Black community and exert political influence. Our vision is clear: to rectify past injustices and create a future where justice, equality, belonging, and inclusivity are the norm. Prepare to be inspired by dynamic speakers and impassioned poets who will speak truth to power. MUST BOOK:

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Some great practical advice here from Gill Pipkin about bid writing. Well worth a read!

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Early morning in #Leeds for #MottMacDonald ’s breakfast roundtable at #UKREiiF, where we tackled the big questions with public and private sector colleagues around how we deliver more #inclusiveinfrastructure. Some great nuggets: 💡  When writing business cases, we need to think about social considerations beyond the strategic case so social outcomes are a meaningful factor in decision making. If the Green Book is falling short – can we fill this gap? 💡  There is a need for overarching frameworks to get us into a legacy mindset. Going ‘deep, local and long’ as someone put it, will help us prevent social interventions being affected by project timelines and political will. 💡  In public private partnerships, parties need to be on the same page when it comes to core values from the outset, and some thinking done around incentives for developing more inclusive projects as well. 💡  To get more voices to be heard in planning the built environment, we need to build capacity. A great example mentioned from the Places for London Sustainable Development Framework, where they built capacity in teenage girls to become design critics – which has meant better project outcomes, but also greater stewardship over their own community and interest in built environment careers. Win! Thanks so much to everyone who joined! 👍 Sandeep Shingadia FCILT Sarah Shaw | Mary Kerr | Damian Allen I Lucy Atlee Ginny Leonard Richard Fagg | Andy Sloan | Guy Currey | Clare Wildfire FCIBSE FIMA FRSA Andy Gibbins Neil Harvey Phil Redman I Luke Strickland Victoria Starkey Kimberley Green Caron Dunlop Kerry Scott James Beard Cassandra Stewart Mott MacDonald

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I want every candidate in every constituency asked key questions about poverty. So colleagues at Christians Against Poverty came together to help make that happen. capuk.org/ppcmap will show you the progress we are making together capuk.org/ppc is how you can get your question asked (we made that bit easy to and pre-wrote some questions with the help of some clients & former clients of ours - questions about poverty coming from people who *really* know what its like is surely more impactful, no?) Do please join in - not just in writing to your candidates, but also in sharing the opportunity with friends and family and neighbours and networks. We have an opportunity to make a real difference here, and get poverty put firmly on the political agenda. It hasn't been treated with the priority that it deserves, and is now a matter of public urgency. Together, we can do this. It's the only way it will happen.

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Excited to be part of this conversation to highlight the impact and benefits of revolutionising public services! #KirkleesBetterOutcomesPartnership has created the opportunity for meaningful and long term systems change. Our approach has the potential to change lives whilst saving #localgovernment budgets. We know what works, we know how to do it, we're doing it in the face of structural barriers. If we removed them and created the right conditions, scaling our approach could radically improve #outcomes for people.

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Local authorities up and down the country have not been paying women equally for decades. As I shared with the Local Government Chronicle, female Council employees in Birmingham were asked what would it mean to be paid an equal wage. Answers included ‘I'd be able to afford two hot meals a day’. These are women delivering vital public services that we rely on, living on poverty wages. Young Women's Trust's research has shown that discrimination in the workplace is rife. And it's financial consequences don't just show up in hourly pay, it’s also about bonuses, pensions and working practices such as ‘task and finish’ or overtime payments. Sterling work being done by GMB union to shine a spotlight on these outrageous pay injustices. As GMB's Rhea Wolfson rightly says “we can’t except our public services to be run on the back of stolen wages from women”. https://lnkd.in/e7q9jbG3

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These Mayoral elections have raised questions about mayoral cut through, turnout and the opportunity that affords itself with 11 out 12 metro mayors being Labour. Read Annabel Smith reflections in this insightful blog

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It's more important than ever that we listen to young people and empower them to lead change - the Power of Youth Charter is your framework for amplifying and supporting youth voice. To find out more and get involved on #PowerOfYouthDay, visit the link https://lnkd.in/epsrMSp5

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I often wonder what I'd do if I won the Powerball! It always comes back to investing in those who support Youth in various ways, but as my dreams develop, I'm getting stronger in my views. I would invest in youth housing (and youth mental health). The simple fact is that without a safe home, it is incredibly hard to be proactive. That is why it is the most important aspect of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs- Food, Shelter, and Water! If we want young people to thrive and contribute, we must support them in their basic needs. This article by Aaron Hendry sums it up. Please read.

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🚨 Good news! Funding announced for 8 new nature-friendly spaces to benefit NHS patients, staff and visitors. 🍃 The 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 is supporting NHS charities to reimagine healthcare spaces. We're transforming often concrete-heavy sites into spaces where connection to nature can thrive. The Fund has awarded £2 million over two years to 17 NHS charities. It's a partnership between Hubbub and NHS Charities Together 💙, made possible thanks to the Starbucks UK 5p cup charge. The benefits of nature are increasingly recognised by the healthcare sector. Green Social Prescribing programs improve our physical and mental health through activities like gardening, walking, and spending time outdoors.   The nature-friendly spaces to be funded include: • A woodland walkway at a hospital 🌳 • A health centre growing herbs and vegetables 🥬 • Habitats for endangered beetles at an ambulance call centre 🪲    Swipe below to see how this year's winning projects will help increase access to nature for hospital staff, patients and local communities ⬇️ ++ P.S. I'm CEO of environmental charity Hubbub. We bring business, government and civil society together to create campaigns that inspire & support people to make choices that are good for the environment. Follow me - Alex Robinson - for insights on environmental change, leadership and more. #environment #sustainability #nature #NHS  

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