A Goodbye from Sam
I find it hard to believe that my time as Partnership Development and Grants Manager at YCF is coming to an end. My last day will be Friday, 9th August, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this incredible journey and express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of it.
First and foremost, I want to thank the Camden community. From the moment I joined YCF, I was welcomed with open arms. The warmth and support I’ve experienced here have made me feel like a true part of this community. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet so many brilliant youth workers, supporters, and young people who are the heart and soul of Camden. Your dedication and passion for making a difference has been truly inspiring.
Camden is incredibly lucky to have such a strong and diverse voluntary sector community. The range of organisations and individuals working tirelessly to support young people is nothing short of amazing. The creativity and resilience I’ve witnessed in this sector has reaffirmed my belief in the power of community. It’s been a privilege to work alongside you all and to support your invaluable efforts.
During my time at YCF, I’ve had the opportunity to achieve some milestones that I’m incredibly proud of. One of the highlights has been directly overseeing the awarding of more than £400,000 in grants, supporting almost 60 member organisations and tens of thousands of young people. This has been a rewarding and humbling experience, seeing the tangible impact these funds have had on the ground.
Another significant achievement was working with Google.org to deliver YCF’s Brighter Futures Fund, the largest single non-HAF round of grant-giving that YCF has ever been able to do. The collaboration with Google was a fantastic experience, and it enabled us to provide much-needed support to even more young people across Camden. Being a part of this groundbreaking project is surely a highlight of my career so far.
Beyond the numbers and achievements, my time in Camden has been filled with unforgettable experiences. I’ve had the chance to immerse myself in every weird and wonderful thing this borough has to offer. From helping kids make ham sandwiches, to being in the backroom of a shopping centre listening to a presentation about different shapes of lifts, to sitting on a panel with Keir Starmer – Camden never ceased to surprise me.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the YCF team. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our mission have been the backbone of our success. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and passionate group of people. Together, we have achieved so much, and I have no doubt that YCF will continue to thrive and make a difference in the lives of young people in Camden. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the entire team, both past and present – Shannon, Ellie, Grace, Sophie, Alev, Daisy, Mohamoud, Wathsala, and Kit. A special thanks goes to Ollie for building the springboard from which I could jump. Similarly, I am grateful to the YCF trustees, past and present, for all their support, especially Niels, Maggie, Abdi, Paula, Anneka, Stephen, and Francesca.
As I move on to the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me the lessons, memories, and friendships I’ve made here. Camden will always hold a special place in my heart. This community has shown me the true meaning of resilience, kindness, and solidarity. While I may be leaving my role at YCF, I will always be an advocate for the fantastic work being done here.
Thank you, Camden, for an unforgettable experience. Here’s to continued success and many more years of making a difference together.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sam