On Monday 23 February 2026, LifeLine Projects celebrated the major milestone of 25 years of service to young people, families and communities with a memorable event held in the magnificent River Room at the House of Lords, a historic and iconic venue that reflected the significance of LifeLine’s journey and impact.
We were joined by approximately 50 supporters–including guests from funders, partners, trusts, advisors, and supporters, as well as LifeLine staff, and those who have been directly touched by LifeLine’s work. The evening was warm, reflective, and hopeful, featuring a range of honest stories and dialogue instead of formal speeches.
We are extremely grateful to Lord Shaun Bailey of Paddington for graciously hosting the event and for welcoming everyone to the River Room. Throughout the evening, we looked at the past, present, and future of LifeLine—our journey over the past 25 years, our impact in 2024/25, and our vision for the next 25 years.
Opening the evening: a shared commitment to community
Lord Shaun Bailey of Paddington
A member of the London Assembly since 2014, and a member of the House of Lords since 2023. Lord Bailey has a strong record of public service, community advocacy, and support for youth opportunity. He spent 20 years as a youth worker helping give young Londoners a fresh start in life.
Lord Bailey set the tone for the evening in a thoughtful conversation with Nihal Arthanayake. Drawing on his experience in public life and community work, he spoke passionately about mentoring and the power of local organisations to shape opportunity, strengthen relationships and support families. His presence brought a strong sense of purpose to the celebration.
He spoke about the importance of having mentors, saying that everyone needs one. He grew up in a council house in Ladbroke Grove, an area which at the time was affected by significant gang activity. Some of the people he grew up with are now in prison. He believes he was spared that path because, as a teenager, he had a good mentor. At every stage of his life he has had a mentor, and he continues to do so today, naming Lord Nash as his current mentor. For him, mentoring is a lifelong commitment.
One of the things he values most about his present role is when people from his community and background approach him in the street to say that he is an inspiration to their children and to younger generations of black men and women.
He described the strongest person he knows as his mother. A single parent, she raised her children with pride and instilled in them a strong work ethic. Most importantly, she taught him that to achieve real change you must turn up, be in the room and be present.
He also stressed the importance of supporting parents to mentor their own children. As a community, he said, we need to inspire greater parental responsibility.
Reflecting on 25 years of growth
Nathan Singleton
CEO of LifeLine Projects. He leads initiatives focused on supporting young people, families, and community development, frequently advocates for youth services, and contributes to discussions on community resilience and mentorship.
Nathan spoke briefly about LifeLine’s journey over the past quarter of a century. With a timeline displayed behind him, he shared how LifeLine has grown from a local volunteer-led initiative into a respected organisation that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Nathan then launched LifeLine’s Impact Report for 2024/25, sharing some of the key impact stats achieved over the last year. He spoke about how LifeLine will use the impact report to hold itself to account on an annual basis, as well as the obligations charities have to demonstrate the impact of their work in order to help commissioners understand the need to take charities seriously and work in true partnership together.
Our impact from our 25th year.
Our vision for the next 25 years.
Real voices, real impact
Sunita
Champions Support Worker at LifeLine Projects. After moving to a new area, she began volunteering with us to support other parents in the area—now Sunita is an integral part of our Parent Champions team, supporting other volunteers while continuing to mentor parents herself.
Somto
Outreach Development Worker with LifeLine Projects. After receiving mentoring from LifeLine due to behavioural issues following the loss of his father, Somto has joined our team during his gap year before heading off to university to study medicine.
In conversation with Shingi, Sunita and Somto spoke honestly about their experiences of support and encouragement through LifeLine, each ending with them becoming part of the LifeLine team that had previously supported them.
Their contributions made clear what LifeLine means in real terms—safe spaces, trusted adults and enduring support where it matters most. Their presence was a powerful reminder that behind every programme and statistic are young lives shaped by care, connection, and opportunity.
A wider perspective on community action
Jon Cruddas
Former Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham and long-time staunch supporter of organisations that deliver community-driven initiatives.
Professor Martin Griffiths CBE
Consultant trauma surgeon at The Royal London Hospital, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, and the first Clinical Director for Violence Reduction at NHS England. He is known for his work addressing inequality and supporting vulnerable people.
Lib Peck
Director of the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, established in 2019 to adopt a public health approach to reducing violence.
Jon‘s conversation with Nihal took guests back to the early days of LifeLine. He spoke of becoming an MP in 2001, not long after LifeLine began, and how he spent 23 years in office alongside LifeLine. Drawing on his years in public life, he spoke about the importance of local organisations acting as anchors in their communities. His insight brought historical perspective and confirmed why LifeLine’s work continues to matter.
Martin gave a keynote contribution that was both thoughtful and deeply engaging. Reflecting on his own experience as a young black man, he spoke about being full of hope, and said he continues to see that same spirit in many young people today. Following on, he said he was proud to hear that Somto is embarking on the same journey into healthcare and offered his guidance if Somto required it.
He emphasised the importance of engaging in dialogue with people who hold different views. Communication, he noted, is perhaps the most important tool for diffusing conflict.
He also spoke about violence and inequality as issues rooted in social context, underlining the need for partnership between frontline practice and community led support. His voice brought professional authority and clarity to the conversation about what comes next.
Lib spoke on LifeLine’s role as a trusted partner in violence prevention. She spoke about role the voluntary and community sector can play in building community and reducing violence.
Her perspective highlighted how mentoring and sustained support help keep young people safe and empower them to grow. Her presence underlined the practical value of community partnerships in shaping safer futures.
Looking ahead to 2050
To close the formal programme, Nathan returned to speak, this time focusing firmly on the future. He shared LifeLine’s bold new vision:
Creating communities where
young people and families thrive.
Nathan spoke about the how each guest had been considered and thoughtfully invited—no-one was there by accident, each selected for a special reason. He encouraged the guests to linger and mix to give everyone time to share and connect further, particularly with the LifeLine team present. He noted that the event was more about the people on the floor than the presentations from the front. In this way, the event reflects LifeLine’s focus on relationship and connection.
Nathan asked for each quest to consider how they can contribute to LifeLine’s new vision and ended with a big thank you to all in attendance.
The room responded with a sense of shared purpose, anticipation, and commitment. The evening ended not just in celebration, but in forward-looking determination, setting the tone for the next chapter of LifeLine’s journey.
Celebration and connection
For all who attended, and for those who could not be with us, the event made clear that LifeLine Projects continues to stand at the heart of community life—and that the best work still lies ahead.
Our hosts and interviewers
Nihal Arthanayake
Author and presenter of radio and TV, whose thoughtful questioning brought depth and warmth to every conversation.
Shingi Mararike
Sky News Reporter and engaging interviewer whose connection with LifeLine staff members and former beneficiaries set a thoughtful tone.
Itoro Victor-Akpan
Lead Youth Development Worker at LifeLine Projects, whose energy and presence helped hold the event together with care and professionalism.