Cumberland Lodge

With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes and deliver a 10-year infrastructure strategy. However, one critical element is missing: the foundational role of community – our shared civic spaces, places, and facilities. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for young people to help shape infrastructure that strengthens social capital and...

Democracy 101 is the monthly podcast series from Cumberland Lodge, giving a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of democracy. In this episode, we explore how electoral systems and electoral reform can affect policy and the impact that it has on young voters. To help us explore these topics, we are joined by Ella and Reuben from the youth wing of Make Votes Matter, a single-issue campaign for...

At the launch of our recent Gen Z and the City report, we spoke to Canon Dr Paula Gooder, Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, to find out what she thinks the most important issues we can be talking about today are. The Gen Z and the City report explores intergenerational differences in the workplace, with a focus on bridging divides and overcoming misunderstandings. The report is available to read...

How can young people harness their strength to drive movements for change? In this episode of Emerging Leaders, we speak to Dan Lawes, Co-CEO of My Life My Say, a youth-led charity aiming to drive democratic involvement among young people. Dan explores his own journey from coordinating his classmates in school to create a youth democracy conference to his current work with My Life My Say, and how...

In this episode of Five Minutes With... we briefly catch up with Professor Bruna Seu to find out what she thinks is the most important conversation we can be having today. Bruna is a Professor of Psychosocial Studies and Critical Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London and the Founding Director of the Centre for Researching and Embedding Human Rights.

If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice, what would that be? In this episode of Emerging Leaders, we speak to Dylan Zajac, Founder and Executive Director of Computers For People, a non-profit providing devices and training to low-income individuals on the East Coast of America. The discussion explores the importance of networks and how one chance encounter can have a casca...

Democracy 101 is the monthly podcast series from Cumberland Lodge, giving a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of democracy. In this episode, we ask what is populism and how can we identify it? To help us answer these questions, we speak to Steph Coulter from the Bennett Institute of Public Policy.

In this episode of Five Minutes With... we briefly catch up with iconic fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, who has designed for countless household names including Freddie Mercury, Barbra Streisand, and Princess Diana. Dame Zandra explores the importance of personal connection in the digital age and how we can achieve it. You can subscribe to Cumberland Lodge’s podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotif...

Part two of an intergenerational conversation, in celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, between our Programme Officer Munny and members of her family exploring this year's theme - free to be me.

In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, our Programme Officer Munny sat down with members of her family for an intergenerational conversation around this year's theme - free to be me.

This episode of Five Minutes With... features Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Great Britain. Zara talks about British Muslim identity, her experience as a young leader, and how we can create a more optimistic society for young people today. Recorded in May 2024, it offers a message of hope and a reminder of the importance of giving young voices a seat at the table.

How can we create more compassionate leadership through more civil public discourse? We speak to Hannah Phillips to explore the importance of civility in politics, the role that gender plays, and the need for greater compassion in leadership. Hannah Phillips is a Consultant with The Jo Cox Foundation, PhD student at the University of Oxford, and alumni of the Cumberland Lodge Fellowship scheme. Sh...

Democracy 101 is the monthly podcast series from Cumberland Lodge giving a comprehensive introduction to democracy. In this episode, we speak to Matteo Bergamini, Founder and CEO of Shout Out UK, about what mis-, dis-, and mal-information are, what issues arise because of false information, and what can be done to combat it.

In this episode of Five Minutes With... we speak to Kurt Barling, Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University and former BBC Special Correspondent. Kurt explores how we need to approach the challenges facing society, and how we can avoid polarisation in public discourse to find just responses.

A thought-provoking discussion recorded 28 June 2024, exploring the evolving landscape for Gen Z boys. Recent studies show significant divergence in views on gender among young people (16-19 years). While many Gen Zs embrace progressive beliefs, a considerable number of young men still feel pressured to conform to traditional roles and behaviours such as stoicism and being the breadwinner. In a re...

How can we create a space for diverse discussion in our local community? In this episode, Daniel Stone explores how he brought people from all walks of life together in conversation to build a network of people interested in sharing their wisdom with one another. Daniel Stone is the founder of the Birmingham-based charity, The Philosophers’ Yard, which provides a neutral space to explore life’s bi...

Democracy 101 is the monthly podcast series from Cumberland Lodge giving a comprehensive introduction to democracy. In this episode, we speak to Dr Ben Stanford, Senior Lecturer in Law at Liverpool John Moores University, on issues of voter registration and what you need to take with you to the polling station.

At our recent Dis/Mis-information and Young People workshop, we caught up with Amanda Gurruchaga from Shout Out UK, talking about the use of social media and how young people should be front and centre of any discussions around it.

How do we build from shared experiences to address past injustices and create national change for future generations? In this episode, founder of Teach Us Consent and author of Consent Laid Bare Chanel Contos explores her work, its effect on the Australian curriculum, and the human impact of her work. Please be aware that the conversation contains stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and ra...

Democracy 101 is the monthly podcast series from Cumberland Lodge about giving a comprehensive introduction to democracy. In this episode, we speak to Alan Renwick from The Constitution Unit at UCL to explore what it means to have a democratic system, what that looks like in the UK, and how we can influence our future.

We are joined by CEO and Founder of Power the Fight Ben Lindsay to find out what he believes are the most important conversations we need to be having today and how young people can contribute to those conversations. We spoke to Ben at the launch of the new report, Protecting Young Black Lives, Celebrating Black Professionals. You can read and download the report from the resources page of cumberl...

How do we hold onto a vision for change while meeting resistance at all levels? In this episode, Lavinya Stennett unpacks why Black history education deserves a permanent place in classrooms and beyond year-round. Lavinya is a writer, cultural educationalist, and Founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum, who work to teach and support the teaching of Black history, empowering all students with a sen...

In this episode of Five Minutes With... we speak to Alex Brocklehurst from Full Fact, the UK's independent fact checking authority. Alex talks about issues of disinformation and how we can empower young people to help combat its spread.

What does it take to make a name for yourself in journalism? In this episode, Sabah Choudhry explores how the journalism industry is changing to allow for more authenticity and how being resilient and taking risks can lead to big rewards. Sabah is an award-winning multimedia journalist with experience in TV, radio and digital mediums. As a young Sky News correspondent, Sabah reports on a range of...

In this episode, we speak to Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, to find out what she thinks are the most important conversations we should be having in society today, and how we can involve young people in those conversations.