Bridgend College Hosts Future Generations Changemaker Academy Impact Summit
30/04/2026Bridgend College has celebrated the success of its first cohort of five learners to complete the ‘Newid’ Future Generations Changemaker Academy, at its Impact Summit held on campus.
The summit marked the culmination of the pilot programme, bringing together learners, staff and partners to recognise achievements and showcase the impact of the students’ projects.
Delivered in partnership with the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner, The Open University in Wales and Unloc, the Changemaker Academy is designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to drive positive change within communities.
The event opened with a reflection on the Academy’s journey during its inaugural year, and the opportunities it is creating for learners across Bridgend and beyond.
Throughout the summit, sessions explored the themes of change, impact and partnership, with contributions from Ben Dowling (Unloc) and Dr Donna Smith (The Open University), highlighting the importance of youth-led change.
A central focus of the summit was the learner impact showcase, where Jamin, Brooke, Ffion, Mihindi and Sam presented their Change Projects. Each project demonstrated a clear journey from identifying a real world issue against the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, to developing and delivering a solution, evaluating the impact of their work and next steps.
Learners shared their findings and reflected on the difference their projects had made, offering insight into the challenges they tackled and the skills they developed throughout their projects. The presentations highlighted the power of giving young people the tools and platform to take meaningful action on issues that matter to them.
The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Derek Walker, attended the event and spoke about the importance of empowering young people and ensuring their voices are central to shaping a more sustainable future.
The work being done through the Changemaker Academy shows what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity to lead. Their voices, their ideas and their actions are essential to shaping a better future for Wales.
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
The summit concluded with a certificate presentation, recognising students as graduates of the ‘Newid’ Future Generations Changemaker Academy.
As the programme continues to grow, the College is looking to build on the success of this first cohort, expanding opportunities for more learners to take part and further strengthening its commitment to sustainability, systemic change and future generations thinking.
It’s been incredible to see the journey our learners have been on as part of this first Changemaker Academy cohort. This wasn’t just about celebrating their achievements, but about showcasing the real impact they’ve made in their communities.
This pilot has shown what’s possible when we give young people the space, support and confidence to lead change and we’re excited to see how the Academy continues to grow and inspire even more learners in the future.Joe Baldwin, Deputy Principal – Future Generations, Bridgend College
