PYL was founded in 2005 by a group of interested and committed individuals from statutory and voluntary youth organisations, Connexions Partnerships and regional government bodies, to provide a focal point for youth-related issues in London. These people recognised two main challenges:
Marjory Hester, a consultant, worked to develop a constitution and business plan for the new organisation, and then two staff - Sam Dimmock and Helen Hibbert - were appointed on two-year contracts to run it. They faced a number of decisions:
We appreciate the commitment of that group of people who founded us, most of whom have stayed on with PYL either as a trustee or on the Operations Sub-committee. Their support, and that of the key contacts within our member organisations, enabled PYL to establish itself and become recognised quite quickly within London, and to refine the way it operated. We acquired part-time administrative support to help manage the day-to-day operations, including the administration of our seminars. After two years, Sam Dimmock left to become Director of the Get Ready for Genevaprogramme at the Children's Rights Alliance for England. Her contribution to the development and success of PYL cannot be underestimated. After a short period without a full staffing complement, we achieved the team we have today and the range of support activities that can be found throughout this site.