We’re excited to announce the launch of our Strategic Aims 2025–2027 Report. Every few years, the Jack Petchey Foundation reviews its strategy to ensure we’re meeting the evolving needs of young people and staying true to Sir Jack’s mission of helping young people reach their full potential. This new report sets out the direction we will follow over the next three years and outlines our belief, vision, mission and priorities.  

Gemma Juma, CEO of the Jack Petchey Foundation, said of the new strategy: “We’re incredibly proud to continue to deliver Sir Jack’s legacy of recognising and celebrating young people across London and Essex.  As part of our aims for the next three years, we will continue to increase our impact and maximise reach. In 2025, we awarded our 250,000th Achievement Award winner and we look forward to reaching even more young people who do not benefit from our grants and programmes.” 

Our new strategy is centred on our belief, vision and mission.  

• Belief: Society thrives when young people are valued and given opportunities to grow.  

• Vision: A future where every young person is celebrated and empowered to realise their potential.  
• Mission: To provide opportunities for young people across London and Essex to build their skills, confidence, and voice—so they can make a positive impact on society.  

Why Is It Time for a New Strategy? 

Since Sir Jack Petchey CBE set up the Foundation in 1999, we have invested over £180 million in young people, through our grants, partnerships, and programmes such as our flagship Achievement Award Scheme.  

However, it is important to recognise there’s a greater need than ever for the young people of London and Essex to build up their skills and confidence, with rising costs of living and unemployment. It can lead to feelings of insecurity and inter-generational unfairness, but we believe it can also inspire us to aim higher and work harder.  

Now is a crucial time for young people to feel seen, heard and have the ability and the platform to grow their skills, their confidence and their voice. We have seen this happen through our work since 1999, and we would like to amplify it even further in the coming years through our new strategy.  

In 2024, 77% of the young people who took part in our partnership programmes said their confidence had increased, and 68% said the programmes increased their resilience and wellbeing. We know the work we do is important, and we will do it even better in 2025-2027. 

Therefore, This Strategy Reflects Our Commitment To:  

Increasing Impact  

We have seen what works and we will put more money into it. This way, we can see a growth in our Achievement Award Scheme, through more schools running the scheme, more award winners, and more young people feeling recognised and supported. 

Maximising Reach  

So far, 95% of mainstream secondary schools across London and Essex run the Achievement Award Scheme or at least one of our partnership programmes. However, the Jack Petchey Foundation aims to reach everyone, and that includes Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools and youth groups. Sir Jack always believed that no-one should be left behind.  Therefore, we are prioritising outreach to geographic “cold spots” as well as increasing the numbers of organisations specialising in working with less-advantaged groups running the Achievement Awards.  

Streamlining Processes  

We will continue adapting, being more efficient, and improving the experience of our grantees. Our aim is to continue receiving positive feedback from our staff, coordinators, and partners. We always put every penny to good use and offer our key partnership programmes multi-year funding to allow them to do the same.  

Staying Relevant to Young People and the Youth Sector  

Youth voice has been and will continue to be at the heart of our work. Our Youth Consultation Panel (YCP) and Youth Surveys ensure this. We will conduct more surveys, increase respondents, and allow the Youth Survey, YCP report, and our Youth Trustee to continue to inform JPF Board decisions.  

Harnessing the Power of our Network 

We want the insights from our Youth Survey to help shape decisions that improve young people’s lives. We’re making sure young people’s voices are heard, and we’re bringing the youth sector together to share insights, strengthen connections, and use our data to influence decision-makers. Together, we’re working towards a more positive and inclusive future. 

To build on this success, we want to work with every eligible school and youth organisation across London and Essex.   

Want to get involved? Contact us to learn more or attend one of our inspiring Achievement Award events.  

Explore the full Strategic Aims 2025–2027 Report here.   

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