Politics shapes everything around us from what young people learn in school to the world they meet when they leave school. However, our Youth Board feel their engagement and participation in politics is not largely encouraged through the curriculum. 

This year, there has been a large shift towards youth voice in all sectors, especially in politics. From the National Youth Strategy to reducing the voting age to 16, major strides have been taken to engage young people. My Life My Say is a charity leading this through democratic engagement. 

In this episode, we are joined by Dan Lawes, the CO-CEO of My Life My Say. Dan’s a public affairs, campaign strategy and external relations specialist, passionate about building national campaigns that create positive social impact. Whilst Campaign Director and Head of Partnerships for the charity, he project managed the ‘Give An X’ Campaign, the UK’s largest youth voter registration push for the 2024 General Election.   

In this powerful discussion, our Youth Board hosts, Samiya and Huda speak with Dan about: 

• His journey from engaging his school mates in politics to his position as CO-CEO at My Life My Say. 
• The importance of mentoring, work experience and volunteering when building political participation. 
• How education can teaching politics in school can build political knowledge, confidence and skills.  
• Responding to the recent far-right marches in London and across the UK.  

The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

Find out more about My Life My Say: https://www.mylifemysay.org.uk/  

For anyone looking for support the ongoing increase of Islamophobia and racism in the city we have put together a range of guidance: the ongoing increase of Islamophobia and racism in the city: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/we-stand-with-communities/  

Edited by Courtney Brown.

It’s London Climate Action Week! A moment for climate experts, businesses, communities, and, importantly, young people to come together and address the climate emergency, showcasing the need for collective engagement to take care of the environment.  

This #LCAW2025, our Youth Board Hosts, Sahra and Phool are joined by Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy. Mete leads the Mayor’s climate action plan for London, ensuring the green transition is inclusive for all Londoners. Prior to this, Mete delivered a £61 million Green New Deal to tackle climate crisis and pioneered Hackney’s Community Energy Fund. Youth Engagement is also central to Mete’s work, as he founded the youth-led charity My Life My Say to make politics more accessible to young people.  

In this powerful discussion we explored why youth voice must be at the forefront of climate conversations and how young people can actively contribute to meaningful change. We also covered the need to break down barriers and make sure young people see a place for themselves in the sustainability sector. 

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

Find out more about London climate action week: https://www.londonclimateactionweek.org/ 

Find out more about starting a career in the green sector:

Explore green careers | National Careers Service

What is a green job? Everything you need to know – The Education Hub

Violence in London affects young people in so many ways. From the physical impact to the anxiety they experience walking down the street. Young Londoners are taught a range of subjects but if they feel scared on their journey to school, how can they show up ready to learn? 

In season 2 of our youth-led podcast, The Intersect, we are exploring “What School Didn’t Teach Us”.   

It’s the last episode of our current run and to round out the season our Youth Board host, Ya’Eesh is joined by Jerome Harvey-Agyei, who works with young Londoners through the London Violence Reduction Unit to prevent violence by amplifying their voices. He is also the co-founder of the Tope Project C.I.C which supports Care Leavers to have meaningful spaces to feel connected. 

They have a powerful conversation about the need for more spaces in school where young people can talk about their fears, the power of a collective voice to make changes in the community and useful tips for staying safe on London’s streets.  

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

Find out more about the London Violence Reduction Unit: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/londons-violence-reduction-unit-vru  

From an early age, Young Londoners experience gender differences in school, from teacher interactions to the subjects they chose. This continues through higher education and the workplace. Many young girls grow up without being taught how to navigate male dominated spaces, which impacts their confidence and dreams. 

In season 2 of our youth-led podcast, The Intersect, we are exploring “What School Didn’t Teach Us”.   

In episode 5, our Youth Board hosts, Ismail and Samiya are joined by the CEO of Team Repair and recently appointed MFL young trustee, Megan Hale. Team Repair won the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Environment Award in 2022 and is on a mission to increase STEM uptake and tackle the e-waste crisis, using the magic of repair. 

They have an insightful conversation about how Megan discovered male dominated spaces after pursuing engineering, the importance of knowing career options and why we should focus on building confidence in young girls. 

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

Find out more about Team Repair: https://www.team.repair/  

Young Londoners across the capital learn subjects to pass exams. But what about topics that will help them navigate life?  

Finance is everywhere - from the government’s budget to our weekly food shop. Young people deserve to understand how money works, so that they can make the best decisions. 

In season 2 of our youth-led podcast, The Intersect, we are exploring “What School Didn’t Teach Us”.   

In episode 4, our Youth Board hosts, Huda and Ya’Eesh are joined by trailblazing young Londoner, Abdirahman Ahmed, the founder of Urban Rise, a social enterprise dedicated to improving financial literacy among young people aged 16-25 from underserved communities in London. 

They have an insightful conversation full of learning as Abdirahman shares stories on how he started selling snacks in secondary school, the experiences his relationship with money came from and how financial literacy is a skill we can all develop.  

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

Find out more about Urban Rise: https://www.urbanrise.org/  

It’s London Challenge Poverty Week! This week is an opportunity for all those who care about poverty in the capital to come together to increase the visibility of poverty in London and encourage positive debate and discussion. 

Find out more here: https://www.instagram.com/4in10london?igsh=MXh4bTl1MHY0M2J0cg== 

We are the largest provider of holiday food and activities in the capital, working with community partners in every borough to ensure children facing the biggest barriers not only survive but thrive. With 13 weeks away from school each year, we’re the bridge between term times that keeps young Londoners growing. 

As part of #LDNChallengePoverty week, we are joined by Shona and Mirzan from The Food Foundation, who work to change food policy and business practice to ensure everyone can afford and access a healthy and sustainable diet. 

This important conversation touches on how food poverty impacts young people, the stigma of free school meals and how young Londoners can be empowered to talk about these issues. 

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

In schools across London, Black History Month discussions and events will be taking place but how many talk about and address systemic racism all year round ? 

In season 2 of our youth-led podcast, The Intersect, we are exploring “What School Didn’t Teach Us”. Join our Youth Board hosts, Samiyah and Ismail in Episode 2, as we begin to reclaim the narrative with Ndubuisi Uchea, the co-founder of Word on The Curb, a multicultural insights and communications consultancy that has built communities online and offline and works with the world’s biggest brands to engage Gen-Z, Millennial and Minority audiences.   

They come together to have a profound and honest conversation about the heavy experience of systemic racism from the workplace to walking down the street, the importance of narrative and how to use your culture as a superpower. 

In 2014, Word on the Curb released a moving poetic piece that challenged black history in the curriculum. It has amassed over 40 million views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNfH41-LI4w 

The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are their own and do not reflect the Mayor's Fund for London. 

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/ 

The Intersect is an exciting podcast powered by the Mayor’s Fund for London, a charity that champions opportunities for young Londoners facing the biggest barriers. 

Dive straight back into The Intersect with our new season, “What School Didn’t Teach Us’. In this episode our Youth Board hosts, Ya’ Eesh and Sahra are joined by Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, the market leading app that enables consumers to buy unsold food from restaurants and retailers, so that it doesn’t go to waste. 

They come together to discuss alternative career paths that are not explored at school. . He tells us the story behind Too Good To Go, the positive social impact businesses can have and gives advice on how young people can become entrepreneurs.   

Edited by Courtney Brown.

Find out more about the Mayor’s Fund for London: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/  

Find out more about The Intersect: https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/youth-engagement/the-intersect/  

We had an amazing first season, full of insightful dialogue, relatable stories and transparent moments. Episode 5 brings all these moments together, as Phool and Ya’Eesh from our youth board reflect on how mental health intersects with different areas of our lives.  

Edited by Courtney Brown.

In episode 4, we are joined by Sally Baxter, CEO of Mary's Youth Club, an award-winning youth club based in Islington and Luke Middlemiss, a qualified kayak instructor and powerboat driver. Ya’Eesh and Ismail from our youth board hosted an insightful and necessary conversation surrounding the cost of living crisis. They discuss the rising price of activities for young people, how the cost of living can isolate Londoners and how youth clubs can help young people navigate the crisis and discover more about themselves.

Edited by Courtney Brown.