Our Story
Youth Actions Story:
Empowering Young Voices, Changing Lives
Youth Action began over 20 years ago with a simple idea: young people helping other young people find their way. In the heart of Blackburn’s Bank Top area, a small group of passionate individuals—both youth and volunteers—came together with a shared purpose: to provide support, guidance, and hope to their peers. What started as informal gatherings at a local community centre has grown into one of the UK’s leading youth organisations, touching thousands of lives across Blackburn, Lancashire, and beyond.
Humble Beginnings, Big Dreams
In 2001, we held our first youth group session. It wasn’t much—a small room filled with chatter, laughter, and dreams—but it was enough to spark a movement. We created a safe space where young people could share their challenges, explore new opportunities, and simply be themselves. What united us was a belief that every young person deserves a chance to thrive, no matter their circumstances.
As word spread and more young people joined, it became clear that what we had built was more than a community—it was a lifeline. By 2003, we had our first permanent base: a small but bustling hub where we offered one-to-one support, mentoring, and workshops. This was a turning point. With every step forward, we saw lives transformed, futures reimagined, and barriers broken down.
Growing Together, Reaching Further
Our journey has been one of constant growth. As the needs of young people evolved, so did we. We outgrew our first home and moved into larger spaces to accommodate ambitious projects that inspired leadership, built resilience, and gave young people the tools to shape their own futures.
One of our proudest milestones was the launch of our Youth Volunteering Project, which engaged over 1,000 young people in giving back to their communities. We saw shy teenagers transform into confident leaders and witnessed the incredible power of young people standing together to create change.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Journey
As we reflect on how far we’ve come, we remain grounded in our mission: to ensure every young person has the support they need to realise their full potential. With over 10,000 members and counting, we are building a movement that transcends borders, breaks barriers, and redefines what it means to grow up in today’s world.
We’re not done yet. There’s more to achieve, more lives to change, and more dreams to nurture. If you share our vision, we invite you to join us—whether as a volunteer, partner, or young person. Together, we can create a world where every young person feels seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
A Legacy of Impact
Every project, every workshop, and every conversation is rooted in the same vision we had at the start: to uplift, inspire, and empower young people. From our prevention programmes that support at-risk youth to our interfaith initiatives that build bridges across communities, everything we do is about creating a brighter, more inclusive future.
Get In Touch
Interested in learning more about our programmes or how we can support you? Reach out to us today!