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3rd July 2024 Inspire US Finalist Forum teams announced

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The final stage of The Talent Foundry Inspire US campaign takes place on Friday 12 July, with 10 teams presenting their social action projects to judges for a chance to win a trip to Washington, DC.

Over 70 teams of sixth form students have taken part in the programme to build their skills in political campaigning to address challenges in their local communities. The shortlisted teams now have just one week to put the finishing touches to their campaigns before presenting to the Inspire US judges at the Finalist Forum.

During the past three months, students have used the skills from a series of campaign masterclasses to build a social media presence, conduct focus groups within their communities, write to and meet with their MPs and local councillors, gain press coverage and deliver petitions for change.

The shortlisted teams are from:

  • Aldersley High School (Wolverhampton)
  • Ark Isaac Newton Academy (Ilford)
  • Ash Green School (Coventry)
  • Haggerston School (Hackney)
  • Joseph Leckie Academy (Walsall)
  • Lampton School (Hounslow)
  • Oasis Academy Hadley (Enfield)
  • Preston Manor Sixth Form (Wembley)
  • Weatherhead High School (Liverpool)

The campaign themes have been incredibly diverse, with the top 10 covering: child poverty, climate change, potholes and road safety, sports in youth clubs, domestic violence, unconscious bias in healthcare, the cost-of-living crisis, youth support, reduction of vape use, and period poverty.

Four winning teams, who will be notified on the day, will win the trip-of-a-lifetime to witness the final days of the US Presidential Election in November 2024, while practising real-world lobbying and advocacy skills on the campaign trail in Washington, DC.

Jenni Anderson, Chief Executive at The Talent Foundry said:

"We are incredibly impressed by the passion shown by the finalists to identify a problem in their local community and take action to make a change to improve the lives of those around them.

"The teams have been inventive and creative about getting their messages out to a wide audience and developed convincing evidence about the impact of the changes they want to see. These are campaigns that really deserve the spotlight and I suspect we may see them in election manifestos of the future."

Amy Leonard MBE, Founder and Trustee at The Talent Foundry said:

"I've really enjoyed seeing the projects flourish and the students develop their confidence at each stage of this amazing programme. Social action is alive within this generation and the students have not been afraid to tackle some of the toughest challenges affecting them, their fellow students and their communities.

"I wish them the best of luck as they bring their campaign messages to London next week."

Jenni will be one of the judges on the day, alongside John Blake, Director at the Office for Students and Sam Draper, The Talent Foundry Inspire US Manager.

With thanks to our partners, M&G plc, who are hosting the forum, the teams will also get to experience a day presenting in a professional work environment.