Youth Leadership Collective

The Youth Leadership Collective is an open and creative space for young people aged 15 – 22 from Coventry to work on shaping their leadership and creative skills to consider their future and advocate for change.

As the young leaders of tomorrow, the collective will learn how to amplify their voices to advocate for the creative future of their generation. Participants will learn and develop skills in producing, activism, public speaking and creative engagement through visits from local activist groups, talks from industry professionals and trips to see how young people have used their influence in other organisations.

To make their own impact on Coventry, the Youth Leadership Collective has been challenged to curate an exhibition space in the Mead Gallery this summer 2025.

We are thrilled to announce their show will be titled ‘Growing, Changing, Becoming’ and will take us on a journey as a young person in our city. Posing questions and encouraging responses from visitors on the themes that matter most to them. Through poetry, performance, photography and music, the Collective invites audiences to get to know them better and shares the voices, passions and ambitions of their generation. 

Our current Youth Leadership Collective are Akien, Andrew, Assumpta, Ava, Belinda, Damiola, Danae, Ellie, Ivie, Lily, Megan, Natalia, Rebecca, Theresa. 

With special thanks to their creative mentor Ayesha Jones, Adele Harrison of Cov Cloth, Artist Polly Brant, Poet Sipho Eric Ndlovu, and Filmmakers & Educators INTO Film. 

In partnership with YMCA Heart of England, 2024-2025.