Shape Your Streets
Shape Your Streets is a fully funded programme that empowers young people in your Local Authority to explore and influence their local food environment.
Right now, young people are growing up in communities flooded by unhealthy food and drink. With few national restrictions in place, it’s almost impossible to escape junk food advertisements. But through Shape Your Streets, we can change that.
By joining forces with Bite Back, young people in your Local Authority will have the chance to work together to expose the reality of local food environments, and influence the policies that shape them. Through workshops, evidence collection and powerful presentations, they will help build momentum for healthier, fairer, and more sustainable communities locally and beyond.
We believe all young people have the right to a healthy childhood no matter where they grow up. That’s why we’re biting back to remove junk food from the spotlight and protect young people from a future of food-related ill health.
We're not taking applications right now, but you can register your interest to join in 2026/27.
WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED SO FAR
Oxfordshire
Young people presented their findings at the Local Health Improvement Board and Town Hall, helping place youth voices at the centre of discussions on junk food advertising, access, and food policy. Read the report here.
Greater Manchester
Young people’s evidence directly influenced the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to take action on junk food ads. Their findings contributed to Mayor Andy Burnham’s decision to introduce restrictions on unhealthy food ads across the Bee Network. Read the report here
Sheffield
Young people investigated the availability of healthy food options across council-owned spaces, including leisure centres, sports venues and libraries, helping local decision-makers understand the importance of access to healthy foods in public spaces. Read more here.
Essex
Young people explored how local advertising and access influence food choices. Their recommendations were shared with key stakeholders, sparking local discussions on how to make healthier food options more accessible to young people.
What is Shape Your Streets?
- Empowering youth voices: A fully funded programme helping young people uncover how junk food advertising shapes their community.
- Hands-on investigation: Workshops and street research to document real examples of the local food environment.
- Real impact: Young people present their findings to local leaders to drive healthier food policies.
- Making noise: Designed for Local Authorities ready to take bold local action that sparks lasting national change.
For more information, download our information pack here.
What You Get
- Fully funded support: All workshops, resources, facilitation, and safeguarding provided by Bite Back and our partners.
- Expert partnership: Guidance from experienced youth campaigners and public health advocates.
- Local impact: Evidence and stories to strengthen your council’s health and food strategies.
- Positive publicity: Opportunities for media coverage and community engagement.
- National influence: Be part of a growing movement paving the way for healthier food environments across the UK.
FAQS
Is Shape your Streets available to UK wide Local Authorities?
Shape Your Streets is currently available to Local Authorities in England and Scotland. We hope to expand to other nations in future rounds.
What commitment is needed from councils?
We ask for support from your local public health team, including time and assistance with the logistical planning of workshops (e.g. venue and catering bookings), a dedicated staff contact, help building local links, and most importantly a genuine openness to listening to young people and the political will to bring about change.
How long will the programme last?
From project planning and setup through to report and presentation delivery, the programme runs for approximately nine months.
For a detailed delivery timeline, please see the information pack.
When will the workshops take place?
Workshops are held during school holidays (e.g. mid-term or summer holidays) and take place over two days.
How is Shape Your Streets funded and what does this include?
The programme is fully funded with the support of the National Lottery.
This includes a dedicated project manager, all facilitation, venue, food, and travel costs, and all report production costs, including a professional photographer and videographer.
How do you select local authorities?
We want Shape Your Streets to have a large-scale impact influencing both local and national policy. We therefore prioritise:
- Strong political will to make change and listen to young people.
- Areas with high levels of deprivation, to help reduce health inequalities.
- Larger or Combined Local Authorities — however, we welcome applications from less populous Local Authorities if they meet the other two criteria.
How many Local Authorities can take part?
We are able to deliver a small number of these fully funded projects each year.
We plan to expand the programme in future years, so if your Local Authority isn’t selected this time, we may contact you as the programme expands to more areas.
Who is responsible for safeguarding?
Bite Back will work with our partners UK Youth (England) and Young Scot (Scotland) to safeguard the event and recruit local young people..
Thanks to National Lottery players, Bite Back has received £3.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, to empower young people to improve their school food environment.