Action

Enabling young people to lead change in their schools, communities and wider world.

Youth-led action that builds confidence, citizenship and practical community impact.

The Action Programme supports young people to identify issues they care about and take meaningful action in response.

Through structured social action, volunteering, campaigns, peer support, fundraising and community projects, young people develop confidence, teamwork, leadership and agency. The programme helps them see themselves as active citizens who can contribute to others, influence change and make a visible difference in their school or community. 

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£4.5 million

Total investment allocated by Ormiston Trust to support programmes and initiatives

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Over 26,000 people

Cumulative count of young people and participants reached through OT interventions to present day

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75% develop leadership & teamwork

Young people build essential collaborative and communication skills

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44% boost self-confidence

Participants gain stronger self-belief and resilience

How it works

Youth social action that transforms young people and their communities.

A three-stage approach that builds investigation, action and impact.

Male student conducting a chemistry experiment with a teacher in a school science laboratory

Investigating issues that matter

Helping young people explore the challenges affecting their schools, communities and wider world.

  • Starts with the issues young people care about, from wellbeing and inclusion to poverty, safety and the environment.
  • Supports pupils to investigate problems, listen to different perspectives and understand local needs.
  • Builds awareness before action, so projects are informed by evidence and lived experience.
  • Helps young people see that their views, choices and leadership can contribute to real change.
Secondary school students rehearsing drama scripts in a black-box theatre studio

Designing and leading practical action

Supporting young people to plan, lead and deliver projects that make a difference.

  • Gives young people meaningful roles in shaping ideas, making decisions and taking responsibility.
  • Turns issues into practical action through campaigning, volunteering, fundraising, peer support or community projects.
  • Provides structure so projects are purposeful, inclusive and achievable.
  • Positions adults as facilitators, helping young people lead rather than simply take part.
Parents and families in conversation with an Ormiston youth worker in a warm community room

Reflecting, learning and embedding change

Helping young people understand their impact and build social action into school culture

  • Builds in reflection so pupils can evaluate what changed, what worked and what they would do differently.
  • Helps young people recognise the skills they have developed, including confidence, teamwork, communication and leadership.
  • Connects individual projects to wider ideas of citizenship, responsibility and community contribution.
  • Supports schools to make youth social action part of culture, curriculum and community life, not a one-off activity.

Case studies

Discover how Ormiston's network of schools and programmes are transforming young people's lives—real stories of ambition, achievement, and lasting change across England.

Across our network of schools and programmes, we’re delivering proven results where disadvantage is greatest—turning ambition into achievement, one student at a time.

  • Birmingham Ormiston Academy 

    At Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), young people used creativity to lead change in their school and community.

    View casestudy

  • Chiltern Learning Trust

    Through its Youth Serious Violence Hub, Chiltern Learning Trust worked with young people to tackle serious youth violence in Bedfordshire.

    View casestudy

  • Monksdown Primary School 

    At Monksdown Primary School in Liverpool, pupils proved that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change.

    View casestudy

Get Involved

Ready to make a difference in your community?

Contact us to learn about volunteering and project opportunities.

Tel: 0207 266 7940

Email: Enquiries@ormistontrust.co.uk

Engage with our futures programme today

Learn more about Ormiston Trusts programmes

We support children, young people, and families across four core programmes.

Each programme is designed to build resilience, unlock potential, and create lasting positive change.

Enrichment

Providing diverse activities and experiences that broaden young people's horizons and unlock their potential.

Enrichment

Futures

Empowering young people to explore career pathways and develop the skills needed for their future success.

Futures

Parenting

Supporting families through evidence-based programmes that strengthen parent-child relationships and build resilient households.

Parenting

Stories & Updates

Catch up on the latest stories from our programmes, community achievements, and national initiatives.

View all news