Big Change began back In 2012. As riots in London laid bare the anger and despair young people felt, Holly Branson, Princess Beatrice, Sam Branson, and friends gathered around a kitchen table to ask how we could rethink charity as a catalyst for deep and meaningful change for young people. This spark ignited the journey of Big Change and remains central to everything we do. It has fuelled our work backing incredible changemakers and leaders with bold, early-stage ideas who are showing that a new way is possible and who continue to create positive impact with and for young people. 

We are committed to going deeper and further in our support for the visionary leaders at the forefront of change. It is a privilege to grow our community of leaders who like us, want to drive bold systemic change. 

Our 8 big hopes for change outline our vision of a world in which young people can thrive by unlocking their purpose, growth, agency, and relationships. 

Together we will imagine and create a future which:

• Nurtures ambitious goals for young people, rethinking how society defines success.
• Works hand-in-hand with young people and communities to create change together.
• Fosters trust and connects people and organisations.
• Prioritises learning and growth to support ongoing change.

For young people, this means they have the opportunities to:

• Stay curious and live meaningful lives with a sense of purpose.
• Believe in themselves and their ability to shape their futures.
• Have access to strong networks of support and trusting relationships.
• Develop a lifelong love of learning, building skills for today and the future.

Our work has never felt more urgent
Young people today face countless barriers to thriving in an increasingly complex world. The challenges are deep-rooted, and the statistics paint a stark picture:

• 62% of young people feel stressed, and 55% report frequent anxiety. (The 2024 Youth Index by the Prince’s Trust)
• 40% feel they have no control over their future, and nearly a quarter believe they will fail in life. (The 2024 Youth Index by the Prince’s Trust)
• Over 60% of the public think the education system does a poor job of preparing children for work and life. (YouGov survey)
• Nearly 3 in 5 young adults (58%) report a lack of meaning or purpose in their lives.(2023 study by the Harvard Graduate School of Education)

We back people, individually and collectively, to drive the change we wish to see in the world

We invest in leaders with the courage to think differently and we back their early stage ideas with high-impact potential. They focus on deep-rooted, long-term solutions instead of temporary fixes. Through nurturing a purpose-driven community and connecting a diverse network of changemakers, we foster fresh ideas and innovative approaches. We want to build a strong ecosystem of support - connections, capital, capacity building and access that will help them develop as changemakers, and help their ideas become a reality. So that together we can tackle the deep-rooted challenges facing young people by rethinking and reshaping the way the systems work.

Aligning our vision with our brand

To bring our strategy to life we spent time clarifying our focus and our brand to ensure it delivers our ambitions. This isn’t just about updating our look; it is about deepening our commitment to creating lasting impact. Our new brand identity is hopeful, and centred on courageous leaders ready to drive systemic change. The design, with bold fonts, vibrant colours and powerful images of people, emphasises our commitment to driving deep change while celebrating the incredible people we work with.

At its heart is our mission statement: Together we spark lasting change. This simple but powerful statement is the golden thread that connects our vision, ambition, and community. It highlights our commitment to deep-rooted and long-lasting change and a recognition that we can’t do this alone. It is inspired by our community, and our founders, whose entrepreneurial spirit continues to shape our beliefs and approach. Our five brand values sit at the heart of how we work; they guide our decisions, our team of brilliant humans, and the culture we create in all that we do.

• Undaunted: We are brave, challenge the status quo, and never give up.
• Human-Centred: We are hopeful, open, and compassionate, fostering empathy in all we do.
• Connected: We invest in relationships and networks to bring people and ideas together.
• Insight-Led: We ask questions, learn, and share insights across our community.
• Catalytic: Creativity and innovation drive our approach to change.

This is an exciting moment for our Big Change community

We are privileged to work with talented changemakers who want to create a better future for young people. We are inspired by our growing community of leaders who aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions, challenge mindsets, work together, and come up with innovative ideas with the potential to spark lasting change. Big love and thanks to everyone who has contributed to our work so far, and to the talented team at Bond and Coyne who guided us to our new identity. 

If, like us, you are unashamedly hopeful for a future in which all young people thrive, we would love you to get involved. Sign up to our newsletter.