Children & Young People’s Fund

Creativity, confidence, connection

For many young people, life can feel overwhelming. Through art, culture, and shared creative experiences in a calm museum setting, they build confidence, self-expression, and wellbeing. By giving to the Children and Young People’s Fund, you help ensure that more young people, especially those who are struggling, can access creative opportunities that support their wellbeing, inspire them and help them feel they belong.

Make a gift today to transform young lives

“The project has made the museum feel like a safe, comfortable place to learn new things.”

“I know now that I will always have some form of photography and that will always help in the future.”

“I am able to express myself through music. I am able to share my ideas — something I felt unable to do before.”

“When I sing my mental health goes away with all my problems and it’s replaced with what I can be instead of what I can’t.”

Why This Fund Matters

Many young people face overwhelming challenges such as anxiety, low mood, social isolation, and pressure around education. Around one in four young people report experiencing mental health challenges, and those who feel disconnected from school or their peers are often the most at risk of becoming isolated.

Creative activity offers something different. It creates space to explore ideas and emotions, work alongside others, and build confidence without the pressure to perform or ‘get it right.’ In these settings, young people can take risks, find their voice, and feel accepted for who they are.

“I’m just more happy in general knowing that I’ve been able to make this.”

The Difference Your Support Makes

The Children and Young People’s Fund provides continuity and consistency. Many creative programmes rely on short-term funding. Young people benefit most when they can return to a safe, supportive creative space, build trusted relationships, and develop confidence over time. Your support helps provide:

Stable, trusted support for young people
Time and space for skills and confidence to grow
Creative opportunities that respond to local need

By giving to the Fund, you help turn short-term projects into lasting impact.

Impact in Action

“The arts are such a wonderful vehicle for creating dialogue, especially about hard issues you don’t feel you can just talk about.” Kate, Bearface Theatre

“It makes me feel calm, and happy. I felt nervous and anxious about the idea at first, and now it’s just become normal, it’s just become safe.”

Young people explore Basingstoke’s Willis Museum’s current Sainsbury Gallery exhibition and create art inspired by it:

A parent shares how creative programmes gave her daughter, who has additional support needs, a safe space to learn, express herself, and thrive:

Young people create ceramics surrounded by the Allen Gallery’s outstanding collection of historic pottery and porcelain:

“When it comes to museums and cultural projects… it makes them feel rooted, it makes them understand the community better, it makes them feel less alone, it makes them feel part of something bigger.” Dr Danny Chambers MP.

Join Us

When you support the Children & Young People’s Fund, you help make museums and galleries welcoming creative spaces where young people feel safe, valued, and inspired.

Your gift helps children and young people: