We're often told as children that we can be anything we want, and at that age, it feels true. But as we grow older, life’s demands—time, fitness, and commitments—make certain dreams, like becoming a top-seeded tennis player, less realistic. Instead, we might find ourselves settling for a Saturday afternoon paddle match with friends. However, while our childhood dreams may no longer be within reach, we can still be more impactful, experienced, and capable than we realise.

This is a brief insight into what a Thirty Percy Sprint is all about and highlights how you can help to make a difference.

Sprints are short, fixed length (6 weeks) collaborative effort, working as a team to

co-design and deliver an offering for a cohort of Changemakers. These sprints involve open and honest discussions, rapid yet thoughtful learning, and the sharing of valuable insights. The collective input is essential in shaping the Changemaker initiative, aimed at supporting dedicated individuals who are driving meaningful change in communities across the UK.

As a funder committed to doing things differently and shaking up the traditional funding model, Thirty Percy’s Sprint stands out from the rest. I doubt many other Sprints include dancing, party games, black bin liner fashion shows (which I proudly won!), or silent discos in the sunshine, with curious onlookers wishing they could join in the fun. These moments not only brighten the day but also energise creativity and inspire fresh ideas.

I believe we all need to embrace playfulness to tackle serious work—it offers a fresh, more informed perspective. The sprint’s fun-driven philosophy encourages critical thinking, fosters openness, and strengthens team connections. It brings a sense of satisfaction and shared purpose at the end of the day, and it will undoubtedly stand out as something unique from anything else you do all week.

On a practical note, the Thirty Percy Foundation HQ is conveniently located in central London, just a 10-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road underground (though you may want to resist the lure of the massive Primark nearby). From day one, you'll be welcomed by an incredible team, who will make you feel like you’ve been working together for years (beware of the irresistible snack cupboard!). Most importantly, your lived experience and knowledge are invaluable contributions to the Sprint, therefore fully immerse yourself in the process.

So, get your dancing shoes on and get ready for 6 weeks of disco, learning, sharing and creating together! You’ll be making ripples of change that will positively impact individuals, communities and yourself.

Rupert Walters

Changemaker (Sprinter May-June 2024)