There are not enough leaders from working-class backgrounds in the UK.

Working class young people face constant obvious and often invisible barriers to achieving their leadership potential and few make it to the top. RECLAIM says it does not make ethical or economic sense to waste the talent of such a large section of the population.

RECLAIM’s goal is to end leadership inequality within a generation.

They aim to nurture and galvanise the talent of young people who are natural leaders at risk of failing to reach their potential. They believe that children from all communities must be represented at all levels and in all sectors of society as adults, and that we need more pioneers who inspire others to achieve.

Big Change is proud to have backed RECLAIM to launch and deliver their Fairer Futures campaign to build on their experience and extend their impact to national scale. This programme set out to bridge the gap that exists between young natural leaders from working class backgrounds and business, media, politics and education. Since being funded by Big Change, they have launched over eight new youth led campaigns.

RECLAIM’s work was awarded The Guardian’s ‘Most Effective Youth Voice or Campaign’ in 2019, and their impact has been recognised further by partnering with international organisation Ashoka Young Changemakers among others. While the data and recognition speak for themselves, teachers and parents who have been impacted by RECLAIM’s work confirm the transformative impact of RECLAIM.

In 2024, RECLAIM reflected on its mission and vision and developed a strategy to become the lead organisation for the working-class youth voice and to secure real life change.

Ruth founded RECLAIM, after a successful teaching career in state schools in Bradford and Manchester; RECLAIM is a multi award-winning, Manchester-based charity supporting working-class young people into leadership positions. Ruth used her platform as RECLAIM CEO for 11 years to campaign nationally with young people across the UK for greater levels of equality and to challenge the negative labelling of many pressurised communities.

Ruth is a Clore Social Fellow and an Ashoka UK Fellow and was listed in The Sunday Times as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK. She was also listed by Virgin as one of the top six female changemakers internationally.

Ruth is also the founder and CEO of Rekindle School, a supplementary school in Manchester; supporting young critical thinkers from working-class communities. She is currently developing the national FUEL programme for UK community changemakers outside of London, which will launch in 2025.

Since 2018, Becky has played a leading role at RECLAIM, as Director of Programmes and CEO. Becky has a longstanding background working to remove the barriers that lie ahead of far too many young people achieving their goals, whatever those goals may be.

As someone who didn't attend University and who understands the impact that not having a degree can have on career prospects, she is also a keen champion of non-graduate talent.