Organised by Rise Construction Framework the ‘Raise Up’ Youth Summit was hailed a success in 2025 and will now return to Liverpool in 2026 after securing Football for Change as headline sponsor. Tony McDonough reports
Football for Change, the charity backed by top sports stars, has agreed to be headline sponsor of the 2026 Raise Up’ Youth Summit in Liverpool.
Organised by the social value-led business Rise Construction Framework (Rise), the summit was first held in 2025 and was hailed a major success. This year the event will return to BOXPARK Liverpool on Thursday, October 1.
It is described as a “one of a kind intergenerational summit” that brings together the world of business, sport and television to reimagine social mobility and the role of business in rebuilding Britain.
It challenges the outdated notion that talent only rises from the top and calls on business to step up, show up and lead the change.
Last year’s summit featured some of the UK’s most progressive brands in the social mobility space including Channel 4, the EY Foundation and Movement to Work.
Young people were provided with business insights from North West businesses and featured a special guest, Dragon’s Den star, Sara Davies.
Former Liverpool FC and England star Jamie Carragher, chair of Football for Change, who took part in last year’s event, said: “Football for Change aims to break down the barriers of poverty that keep our youngsters from realising their full potential.
“I couldn’t ignore The Raise Up Summit because it embodies everything Football For Change stands for – from empowering the next generation to creating opportunities. We’re all delighted to get behind this powerful event.”
Raise Up is also supported by Sefton based business EFT Construction, Liverpool John Moores University, City of Liverpool College, Weightmans, Accenture and Liverpool Hope University. Click here to find out more or buy tickets.
Sara Lawton, director of Rise and creator of the Raise Up Summit, added: “Rise is a social value business that has always invested in young people. In 2020 we founded Thrive, a specialist coffee shop that supports care leavers and young people.
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“Our work in this space has helped hundreds of left behind young people secure employment, but we wanted to do more. Young people can be overwhelmed, overlooked and underestimated and want employers to see their value.
“This summit is our rallying cry to business: Show up. Listen. Learn. But most importantly – help rebuild a future where potential isn’t dictated by postcode or accent.”