YHF Grants - Case studies

For many families, the festive season can bring extra pressure, increased costs, and fewer affordable options. Many children miss out. That’s why we were proud to bring back Harrow Winter Wonderland, as part of Harrow Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Over the past four years, the DVS Foundation has partnered with Young Harrow Foundation to invest over £90,000 into Harrow’s grassroots youth sector — including £65,000 to strengthen the Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme.

Every year, Orley Farm School helps bring extra magic to Harrow Winter Wonderland — a four-day festive experience designed for vulnerable and disadvantaged children as part of the Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme.

The Harrow Change Makers initiative brings together a group of committed local donors who pool their resources, insight, and passion to create meaningful change for young people in Harrow.

In 2025, Harrow School and the Deo Duce Foundation each contributed £2,000 to develop a new dyslexia training programme for schools — an initiative that is now transforming classroom practice across the borough.

The Change Makers programme, delivered in Harrow by local activity providers like Watford FC Community Sport and Education Trust, supports young people who may be facing challenges that affect their confidence, resilience and ability to thrive.

Harrow Change Makers is a local funding partnership that backs projects shaped around the real concerns of young people in Harrow. Through the programme, funders support organisations that help children and young people stay safe, improve their wellbeing and stay connected to education and opportunity.

Harrow School’s historic farm was brought vividly back to life in 2025, opening its gates to 240 local primary school children for an inspiring day of hands-on learning.

Thanks to an £80,000 grant from John Lyon’s Charity over two years, and additional funding and venue support from Harrow School, 2,000 young people in Harrow have had the opportunity to participate in a range of exciting performing arts initiatives across the borough.