The ‘Changemakers’ who want to make a difference
QUEEN Camilla has thrown her support behind a nationwide school scheme to help young people at risk of toxic relationships.
She hosted four young women from the organisation SafeLives at Buckingham Palace yesterday to discuss ideas to aid those experiencing or witnessing domestic abuse.
The four – Maya, 20, Imi, 18, Lybah, 17 and Almas, 15 – are called Changemakers and their aim is to adapt the school curriculum and work with teachers across the country to support children and adults.
SafeLives’ mission is to end domestic abuse for everyone, but the charity has a particular focus on teens aged 13 to 17, as research suggests they are most vulnerable.
In the UK, more than 105,000 children live in households where there is a high risk of violence and 78% of children in households where abuse takes place are either harmed by the perpetrator and/or witness violence against others.
Stronger
The Changemakers aim to shape research, campaigns and services for the young people who are impacted.
Camilla has long championed domestic abuse charities and listened intently to their ideas during a 30-minute roundtable in the Palace’s Music Room.
Maya told the Queen they met Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to lobby the Government to implement changes to national academic guidance. She said: “Children need to feel less alone and feel stronger.
“Part of our work is about reach. It’s vital that we can make changes.”
Camilla, who was joined by CEO Ellen Miller for the discussion, noted the youngsters were a similar age to her granddaughters – Lola and Eliza, both aged 16 – before applauding the campaign.
She said: “I was talking to one the other day and suggesting to take pop-up shops into schools – say two or three Changemakers – then they could all come and ask questions.”