Ignite Youth (formerly Ignite Trust) was founded by Revd Simon Jones and his team in 2001 to ’train the next generation’ so that disadvantaged and marginalised young people left school with qualifications and experience in leadership.
The charity was run by a team of unpaid volunteers for the first year, who worked tirelessly at developing this net of support in the local community of Harrow and Wealdstone in North West London.
The name "Ignite" came from the proverb that if a tree is set alight in a forest, it creates a chain reaction, and over the years Ignite has helped hundreds of young people achieve a change for the better in their lives, and many have gone on to inspire others to improve their lives too.
Ignite is a progressive, community-based charity, whose roots are set in the Christian faith, which guides how we work and determines our values.
While we are faith based, we are not faith biased, and our work embraces the diverse and dynamic makeup of our communities.
Our Vision
A community where young people can turn adversity into advantage
Our Mission
To help young people advance in life, and strengthen our communities.
Our Values
Community - We build strong, connected communities where young people belong and thrive.
Champion - We advocate for and champion the voices, needs and aspirations of young people.
Collaboration - We work together with beneficiaries, stakeholders, partners and communities to achieve shared goals.
Integrity - We act with honesty, transparency and accountability in all we do.
Respect - We treat everyone with dignity, honouring diverse perspectives and experiences.