The Linking Network
Helping children and young people explore identity, diversity and community through meaningful connection
Pears Foundation’s generous practical support has made a huge difference to the Linking Network. Their commitment in providing long term unrestricted core funding, especially at a pivotal moment, gave us the confidence and space to develop our work. This freed us up to develop and test approaches to training teachers, modelling good practice and linking schools so that young people can explore complex questions of identity, diversity and community and how to live together well. We have been encouraged by the Pears Foundation’s practical, active engagement in our work, visiting school links, promoting our work to others and acting as critical friends.Meg Henry and Linda Cowie,
Co-Directors
The Linking Network is an example of what can be achieved when you are able to give skilled, experienced individuals the time and flexibility to explore and address complex issues. Meg and Linda’s thoughtful and considered approach to the challenges facing their local community in Bradford has given their work a depth and quality that is deceptively simple. Their collaborative approach to sustainable expansion is rare, and we hope the network will continue to grow, providing young people across the UK with much-needed opportunities to build relationships and work together.Bridget Kohner,
Deputy Director
Partner since: 2015
Funding invested: £2.2m
- Core: Unrestricted funding
Who am I? Who are we? Where do we live? How do we all live together?
These are important questions for children and young people growing up in an increasingly diverse society. They are also questions that can lead to difficult conversations, which teachers do not always feel confident or equipped to facilitate.
The Linking Network helps schools create safe, structured opportunities for children to explore identity, diversity, equality and community together. Through year-long partnerships between schools, children who might otherwise never have met build meaningful relationships across difference, while teachers receive the training, resources and confidence to guide these conversations well.
Pears Foundation first became involved when The Linking Network was a successful local initiative in Bradford. We recognised the potential of its carefully developed educational approach and provided the unrestricted funding that enabled it to become an independent national organisation. For more than two decades, our partnership has supported its thoughtful growth while allowing it to remain true to the values and educational principles on which it was founded.
Today, The Linking Network works with hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of young people across 29 local authority areas in England. It provides lesson plans, curriculum resources, school ethos audits and networking and runs inter-generational programmes that strengthen understanding across communities.
Together, our partnership reflects a shared belief that meaningful contact across difference can change attitudes, challenge stereotypes and strengthen communities. By giving children opportunities for meaningful encounters with those whose backgrounds and experiences differ from their own—and equipping teachers with the confidence to facilitate those conversations—The Linking Network is helping the next generation navigate an increasingly diverse society.