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Empowering young people to challenge racism in south London schools

A youth-led charity’s scheme tackling racism in schools in Bexley will expand and continue for two years, thanks to new funding

Three young women Zakirah, Eliana and Zelekah smiling in front of a Active Horizon sign
Three young women Zakirah, Eliana and Zelekah smiling in front of a Active Horizon sign
  • Published: 27 January 2023

Erith-based Active Horizons offers leadership training to equip young people as ​‘youth ambassadors’, to help them to challenge racism which its founder says has increased over the past decade.

The scheme has been running in two Bexley schools but will now expand to two more, thanks to a £97,600 grant from City Bridge Trust – the City of London Corporation’s charity funder.

Active Horizons was set up to support young black and minority ethnic people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds by Yeukai Taruvinga, inspired by her own struggles after coming to the UK as a refugee from Zimbabwe.

It’s sad that in 2022 we’re still talking about this issue, but unfortunately racism conscious or unconscious, does still exist in schools, as in the rest of society. The way Yeukai has used her own experience to help others is really inspiring, and this scheme is a forward-thinking way of giving a voice to young people to challenge racism whether they witness it, are informed about it or experience it first-hand.
City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson


Active Horizons has previously worked with Townley Grammar School, in Bexleyheath, and King Henry School, in Erith. The scheme includes one-to-one training for young people, training for staff and mediation sessions where victims of racism come face-to-face with perpetrators.

Racism has become more of an issue in the last 10 years. Sometimes I feel it’s because we don’t feel comfortable in talking about it as a community. This scheme improves young people’s confidence in their own identity and their ability to speak out on racism – and to empower their peers to do the same. It helps students to enjoy their learning without experiencing prejudice or racism, and supports schools in adopting a zero-tolerance approach.
Active Horizons Founder and Director Yeukai Taruvinga

Case study

Omotoke Adekanola, 16, from Erith, signed up for the youth ambassador training scheme last year.

She said: ​“The project we did about racism was very insightful to me. I felt that it validated my experiences as a black girl and sharing those experiences was bonding in a way as I felt less alone about it.

​“We also had workshops on how to fight against racism and I think it was very helpful. They have helped me in many situations, and I am very thankful it was made available to me.”

At City Bridge Trust we offer a wide range of grants and funding programmes. See more information on our grant-making.

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation is the sole trustee of Bridge Houses Estates, a charity founded in 1097 to maintain London Bridge, and Members of its Court of Common Council form the Bridge House Estates Board.

Bridge House Estates is now responsible for maintaining Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars Bridges, and its grants team, City Bridge Trust – founded in 1995 – awards over £30 million a year to good causes across the capital.


For more information about the charity visit:

http://www.activehorizons.org