On Education, Care and Young People Shaping Change – Sadhana Narayanan

Sadhana Narayanan brings sharp insight, heart and a clear belief in young people’s power to shape change. As Rekindle’s youngest trustee, she reflects on what drives her and what she hopes to champion in the years ahead.

1. You’re the youngest trustee on the Rekindle board. What drew you to Rekindle, and what made you feel this was a space where your voice would matter?

I was drawn to Rekindle because I believe education is key to making the world a better place and achieving justice. My parents always emphasised the importance of education; they had been able to reach the UK because of their education. But as a young person growing in Stoke-on-Trent, I could see how differences in private and state schools really impacted students. I believe Rekindle’s mission to relight young people’s spark and transform education for the better is vital.

2.  You’ve worked across very different worlds from social research in Australia to immersive arts at the Barbican. How do these experiences shape the way you think about education, culture and young people’s agency?

I think working in all these different contexts has made clear to me that I’m really passionate about young people, social justice and changemaking across the arts and research sectors. At university, I’ve had the chance to lead sessions with young people about the change they’d like to see in the world, and I think we already have ideas for the solutions, we just have to take them seriously.

3. Rekindle was founded on the belief that young people deserve to question the world as it is. Where do you think that questioning – and critical thinking – ­is most needed right now?

I recently watched a powerful documentary called ‘White Right: Meeting the Enemy’, where director Deeyah Khan travels to America to meet people with a very extreme far-right view. Though an incredibly tough watch, it reminded me that human connection and stories can bridge differences. I think we should be questioning who benefits from divisive and hateful rhetoric, and think about how to join together to make our voices stronger.

4. Your time at the Barbican exposed you to the power of storytelling, technology and multisensory experiences. How do you see the arts influencing how young people learn, lead and imagine change?

I think creativity is so important for young people – especially when imagining change in the world and a better future. Allowing young people to play and trial things creatively is such an important outlet and encourages communication in multiple forms, like music, movement or spoken word.  

5. In your research work, you focused on migration, family life and lived experience. What did that teach you about really listening to people’s stories?

I love drawing from people’s stories to understand issues that we face. To me, research that draws from people is so powerful because we can connect to it a lot more than facts and figures. I also think we can use stories as a tool to bring people together, by telling your own story and using that to build collective stories.  

6. You’ve worked in environments where people bring very different experiences and perspectives. What do you think organisations need to do better to make sure everyone feels able to contribute meaningfully?

I think organisations need to remember to lead with heart and be open to different people’s way of working, backgrounds and experiences. Having genuine and honest conversation is tough work but it brings people together and gets us closer to our goals.

7. As a trustee, what feels important for you to bring to the board? Is there something you’re especially passionate about influencing within Rekindle’s next chapter?

I’m really excited for Rekindle to grow and develop its work across the different school branches and also in the Rekindle Foundation. For me, I feel passionate that we make sure the next chapter of Rekindle is ambitious whilst also keeping community and connection at its core.

8. And finally – what’s one thing you wish every young person heard more often?

“Small is all, small is good” – Andrienne Marie Brown. I love this quote because it reminds me that my biggest role-models started somewhere. Nothing is impossible!