National Grid backs young changemakers in Lincoln with funded Futuremaker cohorts from Team Academy for Social Change by Creative Rebel CIC.

Young people in Lincoln have the chance to explore their potential as changemakers this autumn thanks to fully funded Futuremaker cohorts supported by the National Grid Community Matters Fund.

Delivered by TASC (Team Academy for Social Change), the education arm of Creative Rebel CIC, the programme will run from the TASC Lab at The Terrace in Lincoln city centre throughout September and October.

Futuremaker is a five-day, hands-on experience that helps 16–25-year-olds turn ideas into action. Through creative workshops, live challenges set by local organisations, and reflective team coaching, participants develop skills in enterprise, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical self-reflection. On completion, each learner achieves the nationally recognised SFEDI Awards Level 1 Award in Enterprising Skills and Employability.

Richard Askam, Director of Projekt Renewable Grimsby, reflected on his experience of working with a Futuremaker team:
“Expectations versus reality is often the true measure of success, especially in my world. Given the tight timeframe of this challenge, my expectations weren’t particularly high at the outset. I first met the team on Wednesday morning, and now, just two days later, I arrived with what I’d call medium-to-low expectations. However, the reality has been completely different. The team has clearly put in a significant amount of work over the past few days, delivering not only superb solutions to the brief I set but also addressing aspects I hadn’t even considered. This demonstrates their ability to think beyond the immediate task, showcasing a level of creativity and problem-solving that likely exceeds even their own expectations.”

For participants like Reese, the experience was equally transformative:
“I came into Futuremaker thinking I already knew what I was good at – three years at university will do that to you. But this week was different. It wasn’t just theory, it was about actually working in a team, thinking on our feet, and coming up with ideas that might make a real difference. I’ve honestly learnt more in one week with TASC than I did in three years of lectures and essays – not because uni wasn’t valuable, but because this felt real. I’ve built confidence, learnt how to think creatively under pressure, and discovered skills I didn’t even know I had. It’s completely changed how I see myself and what I could do next.”

Andy Farenden, Director of Creative Rebel CIC and lead for TASC, added:
“Thanks to National Grid’s support, we can open the doors to young people in Lincoln who might not otherwise get these opportunities. It’s about confidence, community, and giving the next generation the tools to make change happen.”

Applications for the September and October cohorts are now open. Places are free but limited.