Common Purpose and Islamic Relief UK team up to deliver Leadership and Legacy Programmes This Summer

Islamic Relief UK and Common Purpose will collaborate this summer on three UK-based programmes focussed around leadership and youth development. Lancashire750, Bradford150, and the Syrian Diaspora Leaders Programme, which enters its fourth successive year, will all be supported by Islamic Relief UK.

The programmes, which are free to take part in, will take place online from June and are designed to equip participants with the tools to make change within their communities, organisations and universities. They will also provide people with a solid basis to take on leadership roles in the future, particularly within diaspora communities.

The overall aim of Common Purpose’s Leadership and the Legacy Programmes is to develop leaders from diverse backgrounds who can cross boundaries within society, and for young people to develop their leadership and employability capabilities to allow them to effectively contribute, both as citizens and in the workplace.

Alison Coburn, Chief Executive at Common Purpose International said about the collaboration:

“We are delighted to be working with Islamic Relief UK on leadership programmes for young people, and for people in the Syrian diaspora in the UK. We have a shared interest in helping them to contribute to the life of cities and communities across the UK.”

“Having seen the success of previous Common Purpose initiatives, Islamic Relief UK is thrilled to have the opportunity to support them. There is a demand in the UK for diverse leadership programmes and Common Purpose is ensuring that they put Britain’s diaspora community at the heart of conversations that have the potential to change lives.”

The Syrian Diaspora Leaders Programme is for leaders who want to increase their impact within the Syrian community in the UK and contribute to building a better future for Syria. The programme will challenge applicants to train and understand their skills, talents and networks to benefit Syria and the diaspora community in the UK.

The leadership programme has been running since 2018. In 2019, one hundred percent of participants said they made valuable connections that would help them support their home country and ninety-one percent said they felt prepared to have a future impact as a diaspora leader.

The programme has consistently shown that participants can add value both to their local areas but also their home networks. Samara Atassi, Co-Founder & Board Member of Souriyat Across Borders, who took part in the 2019 Syria Leaders Programme, said:

“This is the first workshop, of many I have attended, that gave me a huge amount of positive energy, changed my perspective and encouraged me to put new plans in my life. It increased my capability, gave me many new skills and increased the possibility of collective future work in the diaspora.”

Legacy is a global campaign by Common Purpose which invests in 18 – 25 year-olds, challenging them to think 20-30 years into the future about how they can make change in their region. The programmes span the globe – and alongside the Islamic Relief UK funded projects – Common Purpose also runs Chicago200, Boston401, Singapore100 and many more.

Despite 18-25-year-olds largely avoiding the direct health impacts of the coronavirus, they risk being disproportionately impacted in other ways, particularly through rising unemployment and changes in the climate.

Eighty-nine percent of those who took part in the 2020 UK Legacy Programmes said that by the end they were confident that their generation could create the legacy they wanted for the city and felt more prepared to lead a diverse team.

Hollie Cook, a participant from Leeds150 last year, said about the programme:

“It was perfectly put together, striking a balance between personal leadership development and also working in a team to develop teamwork skills and communication. The range of speakers was amazing and was great to know that so many senior leaders across Leeds are on board with the changes we suggested.”

In 2045, Lancashire will celebrate 750 years since the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster on 27 November, which is now celebrated as Lancashire day. The programme will bring together young diverse leaders from across Lancashire to discuss the future of green energy.

In 2047 it will be 150 years since Bradford was formally granted city status. Bradford150 will bring together young diverse leaders from Bradford to consider how they can make the city greener by 2047.

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

Free to attend. Applications are currently open

Free to attend. Applications are currently open

Free to attend. Applications are currently open

Common Purpose is a not-for-profit leadership development organisation that specialises in cross-boundary leadership. Founded in 1989, they run programmes in over 100 cities and online and have more than 95,000 alumni, worldwide.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 37 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.