In a landmark gathering at Anthropy 2025 in March, over 30 RSA Fellows from across Cornwall came together to reignite connections and explore new potential collaborations. Held at the Eden Project, the event featured an appearance by the RSA’s new Chair, Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, who listened closely to Fellows’ stories, outlined his long-term vision for the organisation, and championed the RSA’s role in pursuing societal change. The event also spotlighted the next generation of visionaries through the Emerging Leaders Programme.
What is Anthropy?
The RSA are proud partners of Anthropy — responsible for uniting leaders and organisations to transform the UK for a brighter future. By connecting businesses, non-profits, academics and policymakers, Anthropy drives innovation, builds partnerships, shapes policy, and inspires personal and systemic change.
Joe Woof
Young Fellow Attendee
“Thanks to the RSA’s Young Fellows program, being able to attend Anthropy was a fantastic experience, helped in no small part by the stunning setting of the Eden project. As a young person, it’s easy to feel like the world is full of problems we didn’t create but somehow must fix. But over three days at this event, I spoke to dozens of people—leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers—and what struck me most was that everyone had a unique and interesting perspective on how to make life better in the UK.
Whether it was rethinking education, making work more meaningful, or creating greener, more inclusive communities, there was a clear vision for what the change could look like. Regardless of how difficult the road may be until we see it, it was uplifting to see so many people working for positive change in the areas they’re passionate about.”
Joe spoke to a clear and recurring theme from the event: the urgent need to give young people real leadership opportunities. He reflected on the disconnect between the widely shared belief that youth voices matter and the actual reality, where decisions are often made for young people rather than with them. Despite that gap, Joe left the event feeling more hopeful, having seen genuine efforts to include emerging leaders in national conversations.
Daniel Hampsey
Young Fellow Attendee
Young Fellow Daniel Hampsey echoed the significance of events like Anthropy, describing the event as a thought-provoking and collaborative experience, bringing together unique voices and enlightening ideas for a better future for Britain.
“What stood out to me was the balance of topics explored. Alongside the timely focus on youth leadership, I was especially engaged by the session on strengthening democracy in the UK, which raised important questions around civic engagement and public trust in institutions. Broader conversations on international economic affairs and the climate crisis were equally significant – highlighting the urgent need for collective action and bold thinking.
What tied everything together was the spirit of collaboration. Anthropy brought together people from different sectors, backgrounds, and perspectives to ask big questions and imagine bold solutions. The conversations were honest and forward-looking, grounded in a shared belief that we can do better as a society.
I left feeling inspired, challenged, and reflective – with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility to bring the insights and energy from Anthropy into my own work and networks. I’m incredibly grateful to the RSA for the opportunity, and to everyone I met for the engaging discussions, fresh ideas, and genuine sense of community.
Spaces like Anthropy are reflective of the RSA’s mission and are vital in helping us think long-term, act collectively, and drive positive change.”
Anthropy Attendees
Anthropy 2025 drew a fantastic variety of experts ranging from educators, creatives, social entrepreneurs and more. All these attendees were united with the shared desire to drive change in their sectors.
We also welcomed several RSA staff members who made the journey to spread the word about the incredible work happening at the RSA. Each brought something special to the conversation, helping shape an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere where every voice was heard.
A vision from our new Chair: Sir Loyd Grossman CBE
We were also honoured to be joined by Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, the new Chair of the RSA. With warmth, curiosity, and clarity, Sir Loyd shared his vision for the RSA and spoke about the importance of hope in the current social climate.
He reminded us that RSA House in London is our house — a space to gather, think, work, connect (and enjoy some truly great coffee). He encouraged us to use it, not just as a resource but as a hub for collaboration.
“This isn’t a whim,” he told us, referencing his 30-plus years as an RSA Fellow. In an interview with Nicholas Wroe in the RSA Journal, Loyd puts it plainly:
“I worry that people are losing a sense of hope, and, for me, that means the RSA is probably more important now than it ever has been.”
Emerging leaders: eyes to the future
One of the most exciting elements of this year’s Anthropy gathering was the Emerging Leaders Programme — a powerful initiative designed to ensure the voices of young social change advocates are not only heard but actively included in shaping the future of the UK.
Held at the Eden Project alongside the wider Anthropy25 event, the programme brought together a dynamic cohort of individuals aged 18–30, each passionate about driving social, environmental, and systemic change. A selection of Young Fellows were given full bursary access to the three-day experience, courtesy of the RSA and Anthropy. The lucky recipients had the opportunity to attend over 200 sessions, meet with decision-makers across sectors, and contribute directly to national conversations about the kind of future we want to build.
Daniel and Joe’s experiences are a reminder of how important it is to invest in the next generation. It’s imperative that we are responsible for not only preparing future leaders but also including them now, as partners in creating change.
At the RSA, we’re building connections that empower the next generation. Take the next step toward unlocking your full potential.
Join the RSA Mentoring Programme and become a mentee today.
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