Our leadership training programme provides young people with the skills and confidence to take on mentoring, communication and hospitality roles.

Training, volunteering and enterprise

'The Generator' is the name of our one-year youth leadership programme for young people. It provides participants with the skills and confidence to take on leadership, mentoring, evaluation, communication and hospitality roles in business and community projects either run by us or our partners. Generators also receive support to progress into education, work experience and employment.

They have other opportunities for future paid work with Global Generation or our partners in workshop facilitation, administrative and environmental support. We have recruited motivated young people to provide the engine for our Living Buildings – Local Links programme, inspiring other young people and employees in the business partners we work with.

'In our experience the biggest change takes place when you show young people the contribution they can make to the future.'

Catalysing change

The project empowers young people with a sense of responsibility for something bigger then themselves, helping them to develop as individuals and catalyse change in others. 'In our experience the biggest change takes place when you show young people the contribution they can make to the future,' explains Jane Riddiford, Executive Director for Global Generation, 'we create practical opportunities for our volunteers to make a difference and help them to reflect on their experiences.'

Our Generators work with businesses to identify ways of cutting their carbon emissions, from turning off lights and computers to switching to renewable energy sources. A further 40 young volunteers have been recruited from two local secondary schools, a local housing estate, a homeless hostel and a construction skills training centre.

Want to generate change?

Typically our Generators have little or no exposure to opportunities in the environmental agenda, and many are first generation in this country and of a diverse heritage, truly representing London’s rich cultural mix.

Each year we recruit ten new Generators, aged 16-21.  If you are interested in becoming a Generator and joining our next cohort of Generators please get in touch.

View our Generator photo gallery.