Tower Hamlets is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK, with young people growing up among a wide range of faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. While this diversity is a clear strength, many young people lack safe, structured opportunities to explore identity, discuss difference, and build relationships across communities. Schools and youth services are under significant resource pressure, particularly in an increasingly polarised social climate. Many young people lack both the confidence and the language to navigate conversations around identity without structured support, and teachers consistently highlight the need for externally facilitated spaces to enable this work effectively.

The Feast delivers facilitated programmes that support young people to explore identity and engage positively across difference. Student/teacher feedback indicates that participation leads to increased confidence, improved communication skills, and greater openness to others.

Over one year, this funding will enable The Feast to work with approximately 750 young people in Tower Hamlets across two primary schools and four secondary schools.

Student will participate in highly interactive sessions and include small-group dialogue, reflective activities, and facilitated whole-group discussion, allowing young people to develop both confidence and practical communication skills.

All sessions are grounded in The Feast’s Guidelines for Dialogue (G4D’s), which create safe, structured environments for respectful and constructive conversations across difference. These principles support young people to listen actively, express themselves openly, and engage positively even when viewpoints diverge, with trained facilitators ensuring discussions remain inclusive and balanced whilst exploring identity, wellbeing, and worldviews.

Participants will deepen their understanding of others, strengthen their sense of belonging and resilience needed to navigate diversity positively in their schools and communities.