1. How long has Young London been a co-tenant at Innovation Works?
Young London, formerly known as the London Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), was a co-tenant at Innovation Works from early days, starting in 2017. After a pause during the COVID-19 period, we were excited to return in the spring of 2024. It felt like coming home to a space that has always understood the power of young people, our community, and place.
2. In what other ways has Young London been supported by Pillar membership?
As a small nonprofit, our Pillar membership has been a vital support. We regularly use the volunteer and job boards, and the connection to a shared space allows us to build relationships with other mission-driven organizations doing incredible work in the city. Pillar has also supported us through resources around board governance, helped us deepen our understanding of social enterprise, and continues to act as a connector between us and the broader nonprofit ecosystem in London. It’s more than a membership—it’s a connection to knowledge, community, and collective advocacy.
3. One of the best things about being at Innovation Works are the connections that happen. Have you made any connections at Innovation Works that have impacted the programs or services Young London provides?
Absolutely - Innovation Works is never short on connections. From collaborating with Pillar staff and sparking new ideas with organizations we may never have crossed paths with otherwise, to participating in workshops and events that open up whole new networks for us. One of our most impactful connections actually came from a workshop on the state of the nonprofit sector, where we connected with a new funder. These kinds of organic, unexpected interactions happen all the time here. Some of our most meaningful opportunities have come from casual hallway conversations or spontaneous moments in shared spaces - that’s the magic of Innovation Works.
We are celebrating 9 years of Innovation Works on June 17, 2025! Come to a special Salad Club event for good food, good connections, and an ice cream bar! Thank you to Lerners for generously sponsoring this event. RSVP here.