Fixers is one of the organisations selected to help the government increase the quality, quantity and frequency of social action opportunities for young people and double the number of young people aged between 10 and 20 taking part in social action across the UK by 2020.
Social action means practical action in the service of others - getting involved to change others, communities or society for the better. A recent government-endorsed report showed that of the 8.4 million young people in the UK today, only 29% are currently engaged in youth social action.
As part of the Cabinet Office initiative ‘Step Up to Serve’, which is spearheaded by HRH the Prince of Wales, Fixers is working in partnership with the Youth Social Action Fund (YSAF) to offer the Fixer experience specifically to young people aged between 16 and 20 in Birmingham and parts of Kent.
Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said:
“We want to make sure that young people develop the skills, values and confidence they need as they move into adulthood. That’s why we are backing the Step up to Serve campaign with £11 million to increase the social action opportunities available for young people across the country.”
The Youth Social Action Fund opened in June 2013, offering financial support to social action programmes in 4 areas: Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Lancashire and Kent.
There is £5 million in total over 2 financial years:
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, takes the lead in certain critical policy areas including Community and Society.