Our History

October 2001

IARS formally established as an international, charitable organisation on three main principles:

• User and civic participation
• Restorative justice and dialogue
• Individual power and responsibility

2007

Secured project funding from Big Lottery and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to run youth engagement programmes in the UK and overseas

2010

Launched the Youth Voice Journal

2011

Acted as secretariat for the 99% campaign – a multiagency campaign to dispel stereotypes about young people including the Youth Justice Board, Mayor of London, Transport for London, Metropolitan Police, London Councils, the Crown Prosecution Service, and a number of charities

2011

Begins to deliver pan-European projects as part of the Erasmus+ programme, going on to deliver 20+ European youth-led research projects over the next 13 years on youth-led research.

Work includes tackling violence against girls, in schools gender stereotyping in various industries, supporting young carers to access the labour market, supporting LGBTQIA+ migrants to access support services, supporting young women to become green/sustainable entrepreneurs.

2018

IARS begins the European Solidarity Corps programme, hosting and sending young Europeans on international placements to foster social action and collaborative working across Europe.

2022

IARS becomes Sculpt and refocuses its mission specifically on supporting young people to shape better futures.

2022

Sculpt achieves the National Youth Agency Quality Mark at the Advanced Level.

2022

Sculpt becomes a Cornerstone Employer for the West London and Central London Careers Hubs.

2023

Sculpt launches three new programme strands: Youth Voice, Youth Leadership and Employability and starts current programmes, specifically working with young people on Free School Meals, with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and those in Alternative Provision.