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Spring 2026

Leeds Legacy

Thinking that Inspires, Voices that Resonate: Giving rise to a thriving generation of Legacy Leaders

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Key information

Who's it for?

Young professionals, students, campaigners and volunteers aged 18-25 years

Duration

2 days in-person

Cost

Free - all programmes covered by local sponsorship

Format

In-person

Dates

Spring 2026 TBC

Have you ever felt a desire to make a real impact? To better understand what is happening in Leeds right now, how priorities get set and things get done? To shape a future that connects more with you and your generation? You're in the right place!

Leeds Legacy is an opportunity to think bigger, get new perspectives, be challenged to think differently, and understand the power of unexpected connections with people you might never normally meet who are playing a role in the big and small changes shaping the future of Leeds. And your voice matters in that future. This isn't just a leadership programme; it's a purposeful movement fuelled by courage, energy, vision, and others who share your commitment.

Get involved and be inspired to have more confidence and belief in the power of your ideas, the strength of your passions, and the potential within you to make change happen in the place where you live. Embark on an adventure where your thinking can take flight, your skills reach new heights, and your voice becomes a needed force to lasting change – rewriting the story for futures to come.

Have you ever felt a desire to make a real impact? To better understand what is happening in Northern Ireland right now, how priorities get set and things get done? To shape a future that connects more with you and your generation? You're in the right place!

Northern Ireland Legacy is an opportunity to think bigger, get new perspectives, be challenged to think differently, and understand the power of unexpected connections with people you might never normally meet who are playing a role in the big and small changes shaping the future of Northern Ireland. And your voice matters in that future. This isn't just a leadership programme; it's a purposeful movement fuelled by courage, energy, vision and others who share your commitment.

Get involved and be inspired to have more confidence and belief in the power of your ideas, the strength of your passions, and the potential within you to make change happen in the place where you live. Embark on an adventure where your thinking can take flight, your skills reach new heights, and your voice becomes a needed force to lasting change – rewriting the story for futures to come.

Our approach

How it works

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Day 1: Unpacking Diversity and Purpose

Fresh Perspectives: Dive into a dynamic exploration of diversity within the place where you live. Discover the richness of different perspectives and experiences that make us unique.

Uncover Your Purpose: Reflect on the forces that drive you in life and your career. Consider the positive change you aspire to be a part of in Leeds.

Tackling big Issues & making a difference: The key to understanding big problems? Asking the right questions! Engage with local established leaders and explore how to ask impactful questions and make curiosity your superpower so you can make a positive contribution to Leeds.

Day 2: Your Impact and Future Vision

Personal Brand and Storytelling: Explore building your personal brand and leadership profile to amplify your impact. Learn how to capture the hearts and minds of your audience.

Intergenerational Leadership: Working across generations can be tricky but is unavoidable. Delve into the importance of intergenerational leadership and how working together can unlock real change.

Your BIG thinking : Share your vision for what your generation needs to see change in your locality. Let your ideas shine in the Ideas Marketplace, presenting them to key local stakeholders.

Sponsors

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Leeds Legacy is being delivered by Common Purpose and is part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). In West Yorkshire, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority leads the implementation of the Fund as part of the Mayor’s ambition to make West Yorkshire the best place to work, learn and live.

Programme outcomes

What's in it for me?

Take your place:

Imagine being part of a vibrant community of go-getters, dreamers, and change-makers just like you! Leeds Legacy brings together a diverse bunch of young minds – students, professionals, activists, and volunteers – all with one shared goal: to make a difference.

Unlock Your Potential:

This isn’t just another development programme; it's your ticket to personal growth on your terms. Discover your purpose, craft your unique identity, and level up your leadership skills. We’re here to help you unleash your full potential!

Interactive Learning, Real Impact:

No classrooms here! Dive into interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and real-life experiences with real-world leaders. Challenge your limits, broaden your horizons, and gain practical skills that set you apart and help you thrive!

Connect, Collaborate, Change:

Ever wondered how your generation can change the world? You’ll connect with experienced contributors, learn from their journeys, and understand the power of intergenerational collaboration. Together, we're rewriting the rules!

The experience

An experience like no other...

Leeds Legacy is an unforgettable experience! It unlocks exclusive access to industry and city leaders - their challenges and their innovative thinking. You will have two days of working as teams with peers to raise your voice and explore the future of Leeds.
 
Most importantly, you will learn so much more about yourself; what drives you, what your strengths are and how you can use your voice to leave a legacy. 

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Phoebe Robinson
Housing support worker, Engage Leeds
"Brilliant programme to connect with a diverse group of individuals. Both with like-minded perspectives and different, which has been so beneficial. Thank you for the opportunity to grow and learn more about myself and my leadership potential."
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Tom Barras
L3 Events Assistant, Leeds City College
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience during this programme. I have finished it feeling my leadership skills have improved, I have more tools to use within my day-to-day life, and an even greater urge to make a positive difference!"

Next steps

Are you ready?

Step forward and use your voice to shape the future of Leeds.

Process

Register your interest for the next cohort of Leeds Legacy

Register interest

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if you have any further questions or would just like to discuss the programme in more detail, please reach out to a member of our team in your specific location who would be delighted to help.

Get in touch

We are a global not-for-profit leadership development organization on a mission to develop people who can cross cultural, social, and institutional boundaries. We work passionately with people to help push the boundaries of what is possible, all so that they can become those who can help us to work better together, be the connectors of our unique lived experiences and lead, with a difference.

Yes! The Common Purpose Charitable Trust was established as a charity in 1989. It is registered with the Charity Commission under the Registered Charity number 1023384.

The benefits of Common Purpose leadership programmes include gaining increased:  

  • Agility in adapting to changing circumstances and environments.  

  • Empathy to what other people feel, think and need. Seeing things from their point of view.

  • Influence in leading change with limited decision-making power.  

  • Openness to new ideas, possibilities and perspectives, including views they might deeply disagree with.    

  • Purposefulness in leading with intentionality, determination, commitment and resilience.

  • Self-awareness to their behaviours and outlook, and how they interpret and respond to situations.

When it comes to learning, there is no substitute for the power of real experience and fresh perspective. Our approach uses a robust behaviour and mindset change philosophy rooted in real life leadership challenges and experiences. To turn those experiences into real learning we follow five tried and tested steps that lead to habitual change in how people think, feel and act.    

  1. Experience: Being presented with new experiences. Engaging with leaders across multiple boundaries and being immersed in new environments.   

  1. Reflection: Learning activities to gain a deeper and more personalized understanding of the learning.    

  1. Translate: Exploring how to relate new ideas and thought processes back into the learner’s role or context.

  1. Practice: Developing a set of leadership practices that can be used to turn new behaviours into habits.

  1. Assess: Embedding numerous assessments to help learners track their progress pre, during and even beyond the programme.

Experiential learning is a core component of our programmes.

Our programmes create a carefully constructed microclimate to explore real-life leadership challenges in a safe environment, often leading to the types of purpose-driven conversations needed to achieve transformative change.

We also focus on the importance of active learning, by getting people out of their comfort zones and into the world, seeing things, meeting people, taking part, and taking advantage of processes that stimulate multiple neural connections in the brain and promote memory.