The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was built on a promise to “use the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to develop a dynamic new heart for East London, creating opportunities for local people and driving innovation and growth.”
It was established in April 2012 to manage the regeneration witnessed across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and out into the ‘growth boroughs’ that surround it; Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
However, what you might not know is that a small group of young leaders, unified by a shared home in these four boroughs, have been influencing and shaping decisions across LLDC, ensuring that the voices of young people are represented at a strategic level.
Called the Elevate Board (previously The Legacy Youth Board), it’s comprised and led by a dedicated cohort of 18 – 25-year-olds, representing diversity in age, gender, ethnicity and lived experience.
We bring an alternative, unique and – most importantly – necessary perspective to the boardrooms that make crucial decisions for the future of the areas that have defined us.
My journey at Elevate, commencing over half a decade ago, can only be described as a rollercoaster.
At the time, I failed to comprehend the magnitude of the organisation I was walking into, and the decisions and initiatives I would soon come to influence and contribute towards.
From a Youth Voice member to having a seat at the table as an Elevate Board member, it has become a second home; a place of belonging and opportunity, shaping my present identity as a founder, changemaker and creative.
Throughout my tenure, I’ve lent my voice and expertise to countless projects such as the IQL North neighbourhood regeneration at Stratford and the culturally defining development of East Bank.
The opportunity to be a part of the fabric bringing these colossal projects to life has been a humbling experience. As a child, I always wanted to be part of something greater than myself but did not always know what that would be. However, after completing my National Citizen Service (NCS), Elevate quickly became that vehicle; providing the platform to exert real change and have real influence.
We all desire for our voices to not only be heard but understood and respected. Through this involvement, I found myself in rooms where that was the reality – something I will always cherish as an ambitious youth.
Stepping into its own light, Elevate is now ready to take its rightful place centre stage – shaping and uplifting futures. Our board has been working tirelessly over the last year to change the narrative; becoming a community-facing brand with ambitions to one day become its own social enterprise.
Across three core pillars; Invests, Empowers and Uplifts, Elevate is primed to do even more to serve and empower young East Londoners.
Across the years, not only have the board advocated for the wants and needs of young people on a strategic level; but they have also delivered community-centric events such as the flagship annual Future Me, Future Youth conference and helped to design and support East Summer School and carried out youth research.
In 2024, we celebrated the launch of our most ambitious project to date: the Elevate Fund. Sponsored by the charity, Spirit of 2012, and in collaboration with East Wick and Sweetwater and Foundation for Future London, the Fund distributed grants, from £500 – £15,000, to 28 impactful projects supporting young people, local changemakers and youth-invested organisations from the four growth boroughs.
It has been a testament to the capabilities of young people when they are provided with the opportunity and resources to shine. Currently seeking new partners and sponsors, the Elevate Fund hopes to return in 2026 – bigger and better.
The Spirit of 2012 also commissioned us to undertake peer research, exploring how young people in East London – and particularly those from traditionally underrepresented communities – perceive the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Working with Kaizen partnership, Elevate co-designed the research and we managed to reach almost 1000 residents aged 14-34 from the local boroughs. The research revealed:
• 55% of 16–24-year-olds believe the Games benefitted their community
• 40% feel they have personally benefited from the legacy
• 65% are optimistic about their future, but many face daily challenges related to crime, mental health, and lack of opportunity
• 53% of young people feel a part of the local community, however 24% do not, indicating a need for greater social cohesion
• There is strong demand for more job opportunities (90%), skills training (88%), and mental health support (88%)
It came out really strongly that young people feel positive about the regeneration in East London, but there is still a way to go in them feeling like they have personally benefitted.
The report also highlighted the need for more accessible, practical initiatives to improve prospects, particularly around job opportunities, mental health, and skills development for young people.
Elevate is uniquely positioned to fill this gap. With a focus on empowerment, fostering leadership, and providing tangible opportunities, Elevate serves as a bridge between the young people of East London and the opportunities emerging on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Our organisation can ensure young voices continue to shape the communities they call home.
Programmes such as this, founded on the core belief of helping others, are unequivocally important to the local ecosystem. Their preservation is fundamental in emboldening young people to believe that anything is possible.
Because of Elevate, I write this article today, assured in myself about what I bring to the table, and my value. If you’re a young local, this is so much more than another youth program: Elevate is ready to do the same for you.
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