Tiffany Kelly

Background to the project

The Legacy Project first became a concept in November 2009 when Founder, Tiffany Kelly returned to live in the UK after nearly 5 years of living in Asia and learning about the effect of positive community spirit and involvement on morale, engagement and responsibility. In even the most poverty stricken and disadvantaged communities, the feeling of belonging and involvement – ‘we’re all in it together’ continues to be a powerful glue that connects individuals from all ages, genders and backgrounds, a glue that overrides negativity and ensures that everyone looks out for each other.

This glue is something that no longer seems to exist in most communities in the UK. The statistics for youth crime are rising (according to the Ministry of Justice, in April 2009 there were 2,126 15-17 year olds and 9,497 18-20 year olds held in custody in England and Wales), binge drinking is becoming a nationwide epidemic (the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that over 50% of 15 to 16 year-olds have participated in binge drinking, and another report showed that 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds are regular binge drinkers) and there is a general attitude in youths of irresponsibility and aggression – ‘I don’t care’.

In David Cameron’s first speech as Prime Minister (Tue May 11, 2010) he said “…I want us to build an economy that rewards work, I want us to build a society with stronger families and stronger communities, and I want a political system that people can trust and look up to once again…This is going to be hard and difficult work. A coalition will throw up all sorts of challenges. But I believe together we can provide that strong and stable government that our country needs, based on those values -rebuilding family, rebuilding community, above all rebuilding responsibility in our country.”

Since then he has said “‘…we know instinctively that the state is often too inhuman, monolithic and clumsy to tackle our deepest social problems. We know that the best ideas come from the ground up, not the top down. We know that when you give people and communities more power over their lives, more power to come together and work together to make life better – great things happen.” (May 18th 2010).

The Legacy Project is an ambitious new organisation and initiative that will be a positive catalyst for change in communities across the UK. It will develop youth ambassadors for change and future leaders in our schools, it will create connections between local business, charities and individuals and it will provide hope, inspiration and resources in the most disadvantaged communities in the UK.

The Legacy Project
The Legacy Project will provide a platform for creating ambassadors for positive social change at all levels in any community.

Starting with local school children who embark on a Community Enquiry Project and identify a Wish that will make a positive impact and difference…

Involving local businesses to sponsor, coach and mentor the project teams as part of a personal development experience…

Delivered by volunteers of all ages from within the communities as an introduction to volunteering, as part of community service and for exciting incentives that also seek to bring everyone together…

Celebrated by everyone involved with fantastic gigs, live events, picnics in the park, sharing of cultures, art and music events.

Purpose
The objective of The Legacy Project is to unify groups of people within communities around a common project. The Legacy Projects will create a sense of community engagement and belonging through shared responsibility for each other and the environment.

Objectives
- Creating engaged communities that care for each other
- Creating future leaders and ambassadors for change
- Raising awareness of national and global issues through a local lens
- A powerful personal development experience
- Reducing crime, hostility and vandalism
- Providing hope and inspiration for disadvantaged communities

Tiffany Kelly: Tiffany is currently Head of the Global Innovation Team for Impact International and a member of the Global Leadership Team. Her commitment to community development has included working with the United Nations to deliver the Business for the Environment Summit (B4E) in Singapore, working as part of a Prince’s committee to design the next commonwealth study tour in the UK (Leadership for Sustainability 2012) and supporting and mentoring social entrepreneurs in the fields of HIV AIDS, Relief Distribution, Community Development and Environmental Impact. Tiffany is passionate about taking responsibility beyond philanthropy and creating sustainable community projects that generate engagement and benefit for all involved.