Power2

A huge thank you to everyone who donated over the last 2 weeks in the Big Give Champions for Children Challenge and helped us reach our fundraising target - we raised a total of £40,000! 🎉

Throughout the campaign we shared stories from our alumni who reflected on how their lives have improved since completing a Power2 programme.

And thanks to your generosity, even more children and young people will now have the opportunity to:

💚 Boost their self-esteem through mentoring a younger child

💚 Build communication skills to help them in everyday life

💚 Feel supported to reach their full potential and have a bright future

We’d also like to say a special thank you to The Childhood Trust for matching all donations and doubling our impact.

This video brings together five young people who took part in our Teen and Toddlers programme over the last 10 years, sharing how the experience has shaped their lives.

From building confidence and self-esteem to pursuing their ambitions, their stories highlight the positive impact early intervention can have on young people’s lives.

Would you like to help more children and young people lead brighter futures?

During the Champions for Children Big Give Challenge this week, your donation will be doubled meaning you’ll have twice the impact on a young person’s life.

Give today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000C3TZeYAN

During the Champions for Children Big Give week, we’re sharing Isabella’s story.

When Isabella, 16, joined our Teens and Toddlers programme in 2022, she struggled with anxiety, low confidence and panic attacks that affected both her attendance and engagement at school.

On the programme, Isabella was paired with her toddler mentee, Max. Over the weeks in the nursery, they built a strong bond which helped them both grow in confidence.

Isabella also began using the coping mechanisms she’d learnt on the programme to manage her anxiety and express how she was feeling.

A huge turning point for her was in 2024 when she spoke confidently on stage at our graduation ceremony in front of over 400 people! She shared her experience of the programme and encouraged other young people to join our Youth Network.

Since taking part in Teens and Toddlers, Isabella has started college, made new friends and dreams of a future in either astrophysics or working with young people.

“I don’t think anything has helped me more than [Teens and Toddlers]. I never imagined something like that would do so good for me in the long run,” said Isabella.

Watch the video below to hear Isabella share her story.

Will you help more young people like Isabella overcome challenges and build the future they deserve?

With Big Give match funding, every donation made over the next two weeks will be doubled, helping your support go even further.

Make a donation today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000C3TZeYAN

📢 Angela Rayner MP visited our Head Office today to see the impact the Cat’s Wardrobe project is having on care-experienced young people in her constituency! 📢

Cat, who sadly passed away unexpectedly last year, was an inspirational young woman from Tameside who grew up in care and had first-hand experience of the barriers to success faced by those who are care-experienced.

She helped create a sustainable clothing project to support care-experienced young people aged 16-25; a place where donors can give their clothes a second life and help a young person to start their own.

The initiative empowers young people by offering access to free, quality clothing, including professional attire for interviews and work, that will boost self-esteem.

The project has now been renamed in Cat’s honour, and Power2 is working with Tameside Council to continue her legacy by creating a dedicated space for “Cat’s Wardrobe” at our office in Ashton-under-Lyne.

We’re incredibly grateful to Angela Rayner MP for taking the time to visit, meet our team and recognise the importance of this work.

Find out more about the visit and the project on our website: https://www.power2.org/news/angela-rayner-mp-visits-our-head-office/

Even though our Teens and Toddlers programme lasts just 16 weeks, its impact continues to shape young people’s lives for years after.

Laiba, 21, is a young person who participated on our Teens and Toddlers programme eight years ago. At the time she was struggling with low self-esteem and disengagement from school.

Laiba said, “At school, I was skipping lessons and disrespecting my teachers. I didn’t love myself and I didn’t understand why I deserved self-care.”

Throughout the programme, Laiba supported her toddler mentee and the other children in the nursery, guiding them through activities, encouraging their learning and helping them grow in confidence.

The positive impact she made on the children began to change how Laiba saw herself.

She said, “I remember thinking, ‘if these children can see something special in me, why can’t I see that in myself?’ It was a realisation that shaped who I am today.”

Inspired by her experience on the programme, Laiba is now involved in advocacy and mentoring young people in her community.

“Going from mentoring toddlers when I was younger to mentoring people now feels like a full circle moment. It’s what I was destined to do all my life,” said Laiba.

Watch Laiba tell her story in the video below.

Help more young people like Laiba break the cycle of low self-worth and recognise their own potential.

For the next two weeks during the Champions for Children Big Give campaign, every donation made will be matched, helping your support go even further for children and young people struggling with their wellbeing.

Donate today: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000C3TZeYAN

Read Laiba’s full story: https://www.power2.org/stories/laiba/

In May, we held our first-ever Power2 Move challenge to celebrate our 25th anniversary! 👟

We set an ambitious goal to collectively reach 25 million steps by moving more throughout the month.

And we’re proud to share that, together, we beat our target and reached a total of 27.9 million steps! 💚

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen early morning walks, weekend hikes and plenty of healthy competition along the way, all in support of improving the life chances of children and young people.

A huge thank you to our staff members, corporate partners, family and friends for their dedication and support throughout the challenge.

We’re proud to be part of this programme working with other youth charities to explore new approaches to physical literacy!

Earlier this month we held our annual Power2 Paddle dragon boat race fundraiser, proudly sponsored by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP!🚣

Congratulations to P&L: Profits and Lollipops from CVC for coming first place and taking home the winning trophy! 🏆

Thank you to all our amazing supporters – Macquarie Group, CVC, Apax,
Raymond James UK and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP for raising vital funds that will improve the life chances of children and young people.

Because of your support, they will achieve things they never thought possible.

Fancy taking to the water next year while supporting a great cause?

Contact [email protected] to find out more.

Last year, we contacted our alumni to hear where life had taken them since completing a Power2 programme.

One of the young people we reconnected with was Sainthavi, who joined Teens and Toddlers at 13.

At the time, she was being bullied which left her feeling isolated and stopped her from interacting with students or teachers.

Sadly, she wasn’t alone - research shows that one in five students experienced bullying in the past year (Anti-Bullying Alliance 2025).

By taking part in our Teens and Toddlers group mentoring programme, Sainthavi began to rebuild her confidence. She formed friendships on the programme and discovered the benefits of mentoring a young child.

Now, nearly a decade on at age 22, Sainthavi has completed a chemistry degree and is now pursuing a career in consultancy.

Sainthavi has shown incredible resilience, not only overcoming the impact of bullying but finding her voice and a sense of belonging in her life.

Hear Sainthavi tell her story in her own words in the video below.

Read her full story: https://www.power2.org/stories/sainthavi/