We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Youth First Legacy Fund and the Youth First trustees for supporting Spread the Word.
Youth First provided youth services to the borough of Lewisham. These services have now been brought into the council as the Lewisham Youth Service.
As Youth First wound down their operations, they offered grants to organisations delivering work in line with their purpose and mission: to guide young people to develop their ambition and achieve their potential whatever their background or circumstances; to be attractive and inclusive for all; and to focus on those in society who are most vulnerable, discriminated against and under-privileged.
We’re delighted to have received funds from, and the confidence of Youth First to continue their legacy of impactful youth work in Lewisham. This is not the first time we’ve collaborated with Youth First. In August 2020 we teamed up to deliver creative care packages to young people across the borough who were struggling with their mental health and feeling isolated, restless and anxious due to the pandemic. The programme was launched by our Young People’s Laureate for London at the time, Theresa Lola. In 2022 and 2023 we collaborated again for Deptford Literature Festival. Youth First young people, with the support of Young People’s Poet Laureate Cecilia Knapp, filmmaker Mmoloki Chrystie and artist Kobi Essah Ayensuo, created short films which premiered at the festival.
The money we receive from the Youth First Legacy Fund will be directed towards creative programmes for young people as part of our Lewisham, Borough of Literature campaign. Stay tuned to find out more!
Photo: Young Writers Collective at Deptford Literature Festival 2025, captured by Maddmann Photography.