Catalyst is a Near Neighbours flagship programme that offers dynamic and exciting training to young people of diverse faiths and backgrounds between 16 and 26 years of age. We equip young people with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles, develop local social action initiatives and transform their own communities.

Led by professional trainers and facilitators, experienced in community engagement, Catalyst is a 4-day training course that emphasises the importance of ethic and religious diversity.

what are the aims?

Catalyst aims to help young people:

  • Develop the confidence and the commitment to act as agents of positive change

  • Develop a positive identity for living in a multi-faith, multi-ethnic Britain

  • Develop creative leaders to act as role models in their local communities

  • Develop the skills and experience to play their part in building a strong civil society

  • Develop and enhance their employability skills

what can you expect?

Each day explores a specific theme, that intrinsically link and intersect throughout the four day programme. We use a variety of creative and interactive processes and offer practical experience, in order to engage young people. These processes include group discussion, thought provoking team exercises, exploring current news on widely debated issues and developing presentations.

day 1: identity, faith and belonging

Explore concepts of identity and belonging and what they mean to young people living in a diverse society. In this session, we learn about how faith and beliefs influence our understanding of political and moral issues, aiming to take away something positive that another faith or belief, other than our own, brings to British society.

day 2: exploring leadership

Explore different types and traits of leadership, and leaders who inspire and motivate us to take on leadership positions. We collectively unpack different leadership styles, qualities and challenges and the impact they can have on the people that they serve. The young people are invited to think about personal experiences of leadership, looking within their own families, communities and wider society to discuss who inspires them.

day 3: media & effective communication

Explore the relevance and impact of modern media communication and learn effective communication skills. We aim to develop a collective awareness around what type of media we consume and for what purpose, equipping young people with tools to critically examine the quality of information they consume. There are opportunities for reflection and presentation and time to think about how we present ideas and get our points across most effectively.

day 4: social action & positive change

Young people are invited to develop their own social action projects and think about how to implement the training from the 4 days within their school and the wider community. We will identify a range of ways in which people can shape a movement, individually and collectively, thinking critically and creatively about how people can be agents of social change. The young people are invited to develop their own social action projects and identify relevant resources needed to take their project ideas forward beyond the course, should they want to.

How does it work?

We work with a range of local partners, faith based organisations, schools, youth and community groups, further or higher education institutions as well as our Near Neighbours networks.

Catalyst Delivery

We provide an experienced Catalyst trainer to work with the young people to deliver the 4 day programme of training, dialogue and facilitated learning. We ask that a member of staff from your school or community organisation is there in a support capacity for the duration of the course to provide assistance and monitor behaviour.

Catalyst Alumni

Our Catalyst Alumni Programme supports young people’s access to funding, and other local opportunities, to put their newly acquired skills from the Catalyst course into practice. By extending the Catalyst programme we can ensure a consistent and supported bridge between Catalyst and young people’s community initiatives and social action projects.

Signing up to the Catalyst Alumni Programme is voluntary, and will be discussed at the outset as to whether your school or community organisation has capacity to continue to work with us beyond the initial 4-day course. 

 signing up

Catalyst Brochure

For more Information click the image to download our brochure

If you would like us to deliver a FREE Catalyst Programme at your school or in your community organisation, please contact:

Lisa Broom, Youth and Community Programme Manager lisa.broom@nearneighbours.org.uk