VAO Foundation's flagship projects focus on some of the most pressing challenges affecting individuals, young people, families and communities in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Our approach combines immediate support with long-term opportunity.
We want to help people feel safer, less isolated, more connected and better equipped to build an independent future.
Everything below is supported through donations, partnerships, corporate sponsorship and fundraising campaigns. Choose an area to explore.
Belong. Discover. Achieve.
Our flagship UK youth programme — sport, creative arts, digital skills, entrepreneurship, cultural belonging and knife-crime prevention through early intervention, mentoring and opportunity.
Explore the programme → United KingdomBecause Everyone Needs Someone
Our flagship UK older-person companionship programme — friendship calls, visits, social lunches, community activities, Christmas together and intergenerational connection.
Explore the programme → NigeriaA Safe Home. A New Beginning.
Our flagship housing-support programme in Nigeria — a pilot to build modest homes for two eligible households, followed transparently from foundation to handover.
Explore the programme → NigeriaFrom Opportunity to Independence
Education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship, small-trade support and mentoring — including Future Scholars, keeping children connected to education.
Explore the programme → Flagship fundraising event · London · Saturday, 31 July 2027An Evening of Hope, Opportunity & Excellence
Our flagship annual fundraising and recognition event — red carpet, formal dinner, live entertainment, impact films, the VAO Impact Awards and the fundraising appeal that powers everything above.
Discover the Gala →Belong. Discover. Achieve.
Young people need more than warnings about what not to do. They need somewhere to belong. They need opportunities, positive friendships, trusted adults, and environments where their talents can be discovered, encouraged and developed.
VAO Safe Futures & Belonging is designed to help children and young people build confidence, develop skills, form positive relationships and discover meaningful pathways towards their future. The programme will also contribute to wider community efforts around preventing youth violence and knife crime by focusing on early intervention, positive engagement, mentoring, opportunity and belonging.
Sport helps young people develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and positive relationships — recreationally, or towards coaching, clubs and training.
Creativity gives young people a voice, confidence and a way to express who they are — and can lead towards further education, employment or enterprise.
We encourage young people to become creators, innovators and informed users of technology rather than simply consumers.
We want young people to understand that their interests can become opportunities — fashion can become design and enterprise, photography a profession, music can lead to production or business, technology to employment, sport to coaching and beyond.
Some children raised in Britain within diaspora families grow up between cultures — disconnected from their parents' heritage while finding their place in wider British society. Roots & Belonging creates inclusive, positive spaces where young people from different backgrounds learn about themselves and one another. It is not about separating communities; it is about bringing young people together — a place to discover who they are, understand one another and know that they belong.
Prevention needs more than telling young people not to carry knives. They need positive alternatives, confidence, safe spaces, mentors, opportunities and something meaningful to work towards — delivered with qualified youth workers, mentors, coaches, schools, parents, community-safety professionals, people with lived experience, training providers and employers.
Give young people something to run towards — not simply something to run from.
Our objective is not simply to keep young people occupied. We want to help young people discover what they can become.
Because Everyone Needs Someone
Loneliness is not always visible. An older person can live in a busy community and still spend long periods without meaningful human contact. Bereavement, retirement, reduced mobility, family living far away, illness and changing communities can all contribute to loneliness and isolation.
VAO Never Alone will be open to older people from all backgrounds who are experiencing loneliness, social isolation or reduced community connection.
Trained volunteers may provide regular telephone conversations with older people who would benefit from companionship. Sometimes knowing that somebody will call can make a significant difference to someone's week.
Where appropriate and subject to safeguarding procedures, trained and suitable volunteers may provide companionship visits. The purpose is simple: conversation, connection, friendship, human contact.
Regular social lunches bringing older people together for food, conversation, music, games, friendship, community and celebration. Nobody should feel as though there is no place for them. At VAO Foundation, there should always be a seat at our table.
A special annual Christmas campaign for older people who may otherwise spend much of Christmas alone — a Christmas meal, music, entertainment, gifts, friendship, conversation, transport support where possible. And most importantly: a seat at the table.
Carefully supervised intergenerational activities. Young people help older participants with smartphones, WhatsApp and video calling, internet basics, online safety and digital confidence. Older people share life experiences, stories, career knowledge, traditional skills, cooking, history, advice and wisdom. One generation brings experience; another brings new skills and energy. Together they can learn from each other.
No one alone this Christmas. No one alone, full stop.
A Safe Home. A New Beginning.
For a family living in unsafe or severely inadequate housing, a home can mean much more than bricks and mortar. It can mean safety, dignity, privacy, security, stability — and somewhere from which a family can begin again.
Our proposed first pilot will aim to select two eligible households and provide each with a modest two-to-three-bedroom home, subject to:
Beneficiaries will be selected through transparent criteria rather than popularity or public voting.
Individuals and organisations may support:
Or potentially sponsor a complete home.
Support a HomeWhere appropriate consent has been obtained, supporters will be able to follow the journey — so donors and partners can see how their contribution is being used.
Two homes. Two families. Two new beginnings.
From Opportunity to Independence
Poverty should never be the only reason a child leaves education. And a lack of capital should not prevent a capable person from learning a skill or creating a livelihood. VAO Education & Enterprise combines education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship, small-trade support and mentoring.
Our proposed initial pilot will aim to support three children in primary or secondary education. Depending on individual circumstances and available funding, support may include:
Our aim is not simply to pay one bill. We want to help children remain connected to education and opportunity.
Helping participants move towards meaningful employment and greater financial independence.
Some people have the ability and motivation to earn independently but lack training, equipment or small start-up resources. Support may include skills training, entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, basic business planning, mentoring, business start-up guidance, starter equipment, tools and small-trade assistance. Where appropriate, VAO Foundation may provide equipment rather than unrestricted cash — for example:
Learn a skill. Build an income. Create a future.
An Evening of Hope, Opportunity & Excellence
The evening will bring together philanthropists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, community leaders, professionals, corporate partners, sponsors, supporters, young people, special guests and friends of VAO Foundation — raising awareness and funds for our flagship work in the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The VAO Impact Awards will recognise individuals and organisations making meaningful contributions to society.
Recognising exceptional generosity and commitment to positive social change.
Recognising an organisation making a meaningful contribution to communities.
Celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.
Recognising an artist or cultural leader using their influence and creativity positively.
Celebrating an exceptional young person demonstrating achievement, leadership or resilience.
Recognising outstanding contribution to community life.
Recognising exceptional contribution to education, mentoring, training or skills development.
Recognising sustained philanthropy, leadership or community service.
The signature VAO Foundation award — recognising an individual whose life or work demonstrates extraordinary resilience, courage, achievement and positive impact despite significant adversity.
A central part of the Gala will be the VAO fundraising appeal. Guests will be invited to choose what kind of future they want to help create.
Which future will you help change?
Tailored sponsorship packages may also be available.
VAO Foundation CIC · Support. Hope. Opportunity. Against All Odds.
