This year marks an incredible milestone for The Agency in North Manchester as we celebrate the completion of our thirteenth year of empowering young people to become creative leaders and changemakers in their communities.

Delivered by Contact since 2013, The Agency supports young people aged 15–25 to develop innovative social action projects that respond directly to the needs they identify in their own communities. Through training, mentoring and seed funding, Agents gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to turn their ideas into reality.

This year has been packed with achievements. We successfully completed Cycle 1 with 22 young people, delivering 10 weeks of workshops with an impressive 89% attendance rate. In Cycle 2, four funded Agents completed the programme and successfully delivered all four funded projects following 18 weeks of workshops and development.

One of the most rewarding outcomes has been seeing the confidence of our Agents grow. Every funded Agent took part in public speaking opportunities, whether by delivering events, advocating for their projects to decision-makers, or promoting their work through local media.

Alongside the programme, we celebrated a number of successful community events, including Community Day, Panel Day and project event days, which welcomed more than 100 young people. We also worked with over 20 community partners across North Manchester, reconnected with more than 10 Agency alumni, and enjoyed cultural trips, visits to our twin hub in Bolton, and even a first aid course for Agents and friends of The Agency.

As we reflect on another successful year, we're incredibly proud of everything our Agents have achieved and the positive impact they continue to make in North Manchester. We look forward to supporting the next generation of young changemakers in the years ahead.