Our Theory of Change

Home > Our Impact > Our Theory of Change

At Yuvanis Foundation, everything we do is shaped by a clear belief: that when BAME individuals and communities in Oldham and Greater Manchester are given the right support — delivered in a way that is culturally safe, accessible, and community-led — they thrive.

Our Theory of Change sets out how we move from the challenges our communities face today to the equitable, resilient society we are working to build. It shows the connections between what we do, the changes we create, and the long-term difference we aim to make.

Yuvanis Foundation

Yuvanis Theory
of Change

How we work — and why it matters — for BAME communities in Oldham and Greater Manchester.

3
Community hubs serving women, men & young people
25
Dedicated volunteers powering our work
Health · Skills
Wellbeing · Employment · Community
Oldham &
Greater Manchester
The Challenge

Why Yuvanis exists

BAME communities in our region face persistent, interlocking barriers that limit their wellbeing and life chances.

  • Health inequalitiesElevated mental health needs, social isolation, and barriers to physical health — often with no culturally safe space to seek support.
  • Education & employment gapsStructural barriers result in lower attainment and employment outcomes, limiting social mobility.
  • Community disconnectionLimited access to culturally appropriate spaces, networks, and representation — especially for women, youth, and families.
Our Vision

What we’re working towards

“Empowered, resilient, and cohesive BAME communities — where individuals of all ages and genders thrive through inclusive, culturally-sensitive support.”

We believe that when communities are given the right support in the right cultural context, people flourish. Yuvanis exists to remove the barriers that prevent this from happening — for good.

How We Work

Three hubs, one mission

Each hub is a dedicated, culturally informed space — shaped around the specific needs of those it serves.

Women’s Hub
A safe, welcoming space for women to access support, build confidence, and connect with others in a culturally appropriate environment.
Peer support Mental wellbeing Skills workshops Fitness & health
Youth Hub
An empowering space for young people to develop skills, build aspirations, and find their voice in a supportive community setting.
Youth clubs Leadership Education support Life skills
Men’s Hub
A trusted space for men to engage with mental health support, social activities, and personal development at their own pace.
Mental health Social groups Employability Walk & Talk
What We Do

Our activities

All our work is co-designed with community members through steering groups and consultations — staying genuinely relevant and trusted.

Community engagement
Co-created events, fitness clubs, cultural groups and workshops shaped by community preferences
Social support & networking
Safe-space hubs, Walk & Talk, peer-support groups and community events that reduce isolation
Health & wellbeing
Physical and mental wellness programmes — including PedalMind cycling — tailored to cultural backgrounds
Education & employability
Workshops, mentoring, job-readiness sessions and educational support for children and young people
Personal development
Language classes, life skills, leadership development — all free to access, removing cost as a barrier
The Logic

If we do this… this happens

We doPeople experienceWhich leads to
Co-design culturally tailored hubs & workshops
→
Increased engagement in health, education & social programmes
→
Improved wellbeing, new skills, stronger social connections
Offer safe mental health & peer support spaces
→
Reduced isolation and stress, increased resilience
→
Better mental and emotional wellbeing long-term
Run employability & personal development programmes
→
Greater capability, confidence and job-readiness
→
Improved educational and economic mobility
Build community events and social networks
→
Greater trust, belonging, and active volunteering
→
Community resilience, pride and self-determination
Outcomes

The difference we make

Change unfolds over time. We track outcomes at every stage — from immediate shifts to lasting systemic change.

Now → 2 years
Improved physical fitness and mental wellbeing · Enhanced confidence and practical skills · Stronger sense of belonging · Reduced isolation and social exclusion
2 → 5 years
Increased employment and further education uptake · Stronger support networks across the community · Cultural leadership and representation growing within BAME communities
Long-term vision
Reduced systemic inequalities in health, education and employment · Resilient, cohesive communities · Social mobility embedded as a reality — not just an aspiration
Our Commitments

What makes this work

Four principles guide every decision Yuvanis makes.

Community-led design
Nothing about the community without the community. Programmes are co-created through consultations and steering groups so what we deliver genuinely reflects what people need.
Cultural safety
Trust is the foundation. We maintain confidentiality, cultural competence, and genuinely safe spaces so people can participate, share, and grow.
Partnerships & collaboration
We work alongside local networks, statutory services, and funders — because sustainable change requires collective action, not isolated effort.
Evidence & learning
We continuously evaluate our impact through participant feedback, outcome data, and stakeholder review — improving what works and stopping what doesn’t.
Long-term Impact

The society we’re
building towards

Health equity
Equal access to physical and mental health support for BAME communities
Social cohesion
Communities that are connected, supportive, and proud of their identity
Economic mobility
Individuals empowered to reach their educational and career potential
Systemic change
Evidence and advocacy that shifts structures — not just individual outcomes
“An equitable society where every individual, regardless of background, can fulfil their potential and shape their community’s future.”
1 / 9
Introduction

Problems We Address

BAME communities across Oldham and Greater Manchester face entrenched and interconnected inequalities that affect every area of life.

In Oldham, levels of poor mental health are significantly higher than the national average, with deprivation, social isolation and limited access to green spaces contributing to lower wellbeing outcomes. These challenges are often more pronounced within Ethnic Minority communities, where stigma around mental health and reduced access to culturally relevant support can make it harder to seek help.

Nationally, 1 in 6 people experience a common mental health problem each week, and this is closely linked to reduced confidence, lower life satisfaction and difficulty engaging in opportunities.

At Yuvanis Foundation, we focus on improving mental wellbeing by creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can connect, take part in meaningful activities and build a stronger sense of belonging.

Oldham has some of the highest levels of health inequality in the UK, including higher rates of inactivity and long-term health conditions. Access to safe, welcoming spaces and opportunities for physical activity is often limited, particularly for Ethnic Minority communities.

This contributes to poorer physical health outcomes and reduced engagement in activities that support overall wellbeing.

Yuvanis addresses this by creating accessible opportunities for people to be active through sports, outdoor activities and fitness initiatives, supporting healthier lifestyles in a way that feels relevant and inclusive.

Many individuals in Oldham face barriers to developing skills, confidence and pathways into employment, particularly within emerging sectors such as the green economy. Systemic inequalities, lack of access to networks and limited exposure to opportunities can restrict long-term progression.

At Yuvanis, we create practical opportunities for personal development through skills workshops, leadership activities and community projects. This helps individuals build confidence, develop transferable skills and access new opportunities, enabling them to play an active role in their communities and future pathways.

What We Believe

Our Theory of Change is grounded in four core beliefs:

Co-Design

Nothing about our community should happen without our community. We co-design everything we do through steering groups, consultations, and ongoing feedback — so our services reflect what people actually need, not what we assume they need.

Cultural Safety

As individuals grow in confidence and capability, we see increased uptake of employment and further opportunities, stronger support networks forming across the community, and the emergence of community leadership from within BAME communities themselves.

Partner-ship

Sustainable change requires partnerships. We work alongside statutory services, local networks, and funders to create a joined-up response that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Evidence-led

We continuously evaluate our work through participant feedback, outcome tracking, and stakeholder review. We build on what works and we are honest about what doesn't.

Our Approach: What We Do

Yuvanis Foundation works through three dedicated community hubs — the Women’s Hub, the Youth Hub, and the Men’s Hub — each designed to meet the distinct needs of the people it serves.

Across all three hubs, we deliver a range of activities including:

  • Community engagement — co-created events, cultural groups, and workshops built around community preferences
  • Social support and networking — peer support groups, Walk & Talk programmes, and community gatherings that reduce isolation and build connections
  • Health and wellbeing — physical and mental wellness programmes, including sports and fitness, tailored to the cultural backgrounds of participants
  • Education and employability — workshops, mentoring, job-readiness programmes, and educational support for children and young people
  • Personal development — educational classes, life skills training, and leadership development, all provided free of charge to remove financial barriers to participation

Everything we deliver is participatory. Community members shape our programmes through steering activities and focus groups, ensuring our work remains relevant, trusted, and responsive to changing needs.

The Change We Create

0-2 years

Short Term

Individuals who engage with Yuvanis begin to experience improved physical and mental wellbeing, enhanced confidence and practical skills, a stronger sense of belonging, and reduced isolation. For many, this is the first time they have accessed support in a culturally appropriate setting.
2-5 Years

Medium-term

As individuals grow in confidence and capability, we see increased uptake of employment and further opportunities, stronger support networks forming across the community, and the emergence of community leadership from within BAME communities themselves.

Long-term

Over time, our collective work contributes to reducing systemic inequalities in health, education, and employment. Communities become more resilient and self-determining. Social mobility shifts from aspiration to reality. And Yuvanis — alongside its partners — plays a role in creating the evidence and advocacy needed to shift the wider structures that sustain inequality.

Our Assumptions

Our Theory of Change rests on a number of key assumptions. We hold these openly, test them through our work, and revisit them regularly:

  • That the services provided through our hubs will be highly relevant to the specific needs of BAME communities in Oldham and Greater Manchester, and that participants will engage consistently over time
  • That the active participation of community members in steering and shaping our services will generate valuable insights, ensuring ongoing relevance and alignment with evolving needs
  • That collaboration with local networks, statutory services, and other organisations will enhance the reach and impact of our work, and that shared expertise and resources will multiply our effectiveness
  • That the positive changes brought about through Yuvanis’s activities will be durable — contributing to lasting resilience and empowerment, rather than short-term improvement
  • That by demonstrating impact and building evidence, we will be able to sustain and grow our work over time

Our Vision

Yuvanis Foundation envisions an equitable society where every individual — regardless of background, gender, age, or circumstance — can fulfil their potential and actively shape the future of their community. We believe this is not just possible. With the right investment, the right partnerships, and the right support, it is inevitable.