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our mission.

Young People are often described as our future.

Young Merton exists to ensure that they are our priority today.

Too often, the organisations, services and sectors supporting young people work in isolation - competing for resources, navigating complexity and tackling systems alone. But the challenges facing young people don't exist in silos. And the solutions shouldn't either.

We know that when those supporting young people are connected, championed, cultivated and catalysed, young people thrive.

That’s why we're building a powerful village of voluntary, community, public and private sector partners united by a shared ambition: to ensure that every person under 25 years old in Merton can access the opportunities, support and relationships they need to flourish.

Together, we're creating a more connected, collaborative and ambitious borough - one where no young person's future is determined by luck, postcode or circumstance.

our VIsion.

A Merton that works for every young person - where opportunity is accessible, support is collaborative and no individual's future is limited by circumstance.

We believe that the way we work is just as important as what we achieve. Our values guide how we support our members and create the conditions for young people and their communities to thrive.

our VALUES.

thriving

We prioritise wellbeing.

Supporting young people is important work, but it can also be demanding.

We believe that healthy, supported people create stronger outcomes, so we actively create opportunities for our members to invest in their physical and mental wellbeing.

empowered

We are committed to building local social capital.

We believe that talent, expertise and leadership already exist within our communities and should be recognised, nurtured and celebrated.

Where there are gaps, we help people to build the skills, confidence and connections they need to create lasting change.

collaborative

We know that we are stronger together.

So we are fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and mutual support that prioritises collective impact over individual gain. Where choosing partnership over competition genuinely makes sense.

courageous

We are not afraid to challenge the status quo.

We believe that systems can and should change, and we are committed to being at the forefront of that change.

We test new ideas, embrace learning, value evidence and remain curious about what could work better.

kind

We work with people, not for them.

We strive to embed dignity, equity and respect in everything we do, while supporting communities to build long-term resilience, self-reliance and power.

our APPROACH.

Merton is home to organisations doing extraordinary work with children and young people. Our role is to ensure they are united, supported, resourced and heard.

We do this through our 4C Approach:

connect

We bring together the voluntary, community, public and private sectors to build trusted relationships, strengthen partnerships and create the conditions for collective action.

The challenges facing young people do not sit within organisational boundaries; neither should the solutions.

champion

We amplify the voices of young people and the organisations that support them. Ensuring their experiences, insights and ambitions help shape local priorities, policy, investment and decision-making.

CULTIVATE

We strengthen the capacity, confidence and sustainability of organisations through access to learning, collaboration and shared expertise.

Strong organisations create stronger outcomes for young people.

CATALYSE

We unlock and direct investment, resources and opportunities where they can have the greatest impact.

By connecting people, ideas and funding, we help turn ambition into action and create lasting change for young people.