LifeLine Projects was founded in 2000 by a group of volunteers from a local church in East London who saw a need in their local community. Realising that they could be part of the solution, they began working with isolated and marginalised women and vulnerable young people to help them become agents for change within their community.
In those early days—when we were still finding our feet—a respected friend of LifeLine shared a vision for us. They said they believed LifeLine would have “an impact to the order of William Wilberforce.”
At the time, that felt extraordinary—even overwhelming.
Wilberforce’s impact was not small or local. He helped change the course of history by campaigning to abolish the transatlantic slave trade across the United Kingdom, influencing global change. His life was marked not just by compassion, but by perseverance, influence, and systemic transformation.
That comment stayed with me. It shaped how I thought about impact.
Impact has always been important to me. Like many in the voluntary and community sector, we have often found it challenging to evidence it clearly. But we have never doubted its importance. Real change must be seen not only in individual lives, but in systems, structures, and culture.
History reminds us that different people find different “ills” in society to confront. Richard Cadbury campaigned against the social harm caused by alcohol. Richard Cole, my own hero and mentor, dedicated his life to challenging the use of child soldiers and advocating for vulnerable young people.
Each saw something broken—and chose to act.
So, the question for LifeLine has always been: what is our “ill” in society? Where are we called to stand?
Growing impact
Over the last 25 years, we’ve grown from a small charity with just two part-time members of staff to an organisation employing over 80 staff members with national reach.
Our success has been built on strong partnerships with our staff, a commitment to listening to local communities, and the flexibility to adapt our programmes and structures in response to changing needs and funding landscapes.
Above all, we have remained guided by our core values:
- Excellence – We encourage each other to continually succeed and improve
- Ownership – We take responsibility, seeking the whole job gets done ensuring we hand over tasks not just ticking boxes
- Team – We value each member and recognise each members strengths. We know we can have the best results when we work together.
- Integrity – We do what we say and say what we do. We are transparent in our actions and motives and are led by conviction rather than law or trend.
- Compassion – We go above and beyond.
These are not words on paper. They are shared behaviours that underpin every decision we make and every service we deliver.
LifeLine was founded on a clear vision:
Impact individuals—delivering high-quality services that demonstrate positive outcomes, customer satisfaction, and meaningful change in people’s lives.
Influence systems—using our strong track record and evidence of impact to influence policy and practice at both local and national levels.
Wilberforce’s vision was truly world changing. As I reflect, the vision a friend had for LifeLine remains breathtaking and humbling. We have a long way to go to get close to something like Wilberforce but I do take inspiration from the social reformers.
A turning point
As we celebrate 25 years, this moment feels like more than a milestone—it is a turning point.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years, we are choosing not simply to continue our work, but to deepen it, sharpen it, and expand its reach.
Our renewed vision is bold and unwavering:
We are creating communities where young people and families thrive.
We believe the defining challenge of the coming decades is not simply a lack of services, but a lack of connection.
Many young people and families are supported by strong networks of care, belonging, and opportunity. Too many, however, are not.
Over the next 25 years, LifeLine will focus its energy where the gaps are widest—alongside young people and families who are isolated, marginalised, or excluded—and work to reshape communities so that no one is left behind.
We will not only respond to need—we will help re-imagine what is possible.
As we strengthen communities on the ground, we will continue to influence policy, systems, and practice at local and national levels, advocating for a society that truly works for all young people and families.
Through mentoring, relational programmes, and strong partnerships, we will empower families and build resilient communities that transform generations.
Twenty-five years ago, someone spoke a bold vision over LifeLine. Today, we understand it more clearly.
Impact is not about fame. It is not about size. It is about faithful, persistent change—in lives, in communities, and in systems.
We are still finding and confronting the “ills” of our time: isolation, exclusion, fragmentation, disconnection.
And we are still choosing to act.
This is our commitment to connection, care, and belonging.
This is our vision for young people, families, and communities.
This is the future we are shaping—for all.