A new charity helping to create brighter futures for young people has risen up in Lancaster.
RISE Young Lancaster District has been officially established as an independent charity, aiming to champion young people's voices across the district.
RISE is a partnership that brings together young people, voluntary organisations, schools, businesses and public sector partners to create opportunities, champion youth voice and inspire positive change.
Over the past four years, volunteer champions Lancaster District CVS (Community & Voluntary Solutions) has provided the support, governance and infrastructure needed for RISE to develop from an ambitious idea into an organisation with its own identity and clear purpose.
RISE and Lancaster District CVS, which is based at The Cornerstone on Sulyard Street, are committed to continuing their partnership to champion young people and create opportunities across Lancaster District.
"One of the greatest privileges of our work is creating the conditions for great ideas to grow into sustainable organisations," said Yak Patel, Chief Officer at Lancaster District CVS.
"Seeing RISE become an independent charity reflects exactly what a strong voluntary and community sector can achieve when people come together around a shared vision.
"I'm incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed to this journey, and I look forward to seeing RISE continue to champion young people for many years to come."
Catherine Westwell, Youth Foundation Officer, has now officially stepped across from LDCVS to join RISE.
Catherine has been instrumental in shaping RISE from the very beginning, helping to establish the organisation, build strong partnerships and ensure that young people's voices remain at the heart of everything it does.
"I'm incredibly excited about this next chapter for RISE and the opportunities it creates for young people across Lancaster District," she said.
"In collaboration with our partners, we'll continue building a community where every young person feels heard, valued and empowered to thrive today and lead tomorrow."
The team said that young people's voices, ideas and aspirations have shaped the organisation from the very beginning and will continue to guide its journey into the future.
Founded in 1972, Lancaster District Community & Voluntary Solutions exists to support the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, ensuring these organisations are visible, valued and heard.
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