Weightmans confirmed as the headline sponsor of the social mobility event
Sara is the founder and CEO of Crafter’s Companion — a leading name in the global craft industry — as well as being a best-selling author.
The Raise Up Youth Summit takes place at BOXPARK Liverpool on October 15, 2025, bringing together hundreds of employers and young people from NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) backgrounds. This groundbreaking event challenges the outdated notion that talent only rises from the top, and calls on businesses to step up, show up, and lead the change.
Created by the team behind the social value-led construction framework, Rise Construction Framework — Raise Up will feature some of the UK’s most progressive brands in the social mobility space including Channel 4 and the EY Foundation. With support from headline sponsor, Weightmans, and in partnership with Movement to Work, Football for Change and Liverpool John Moores University, the summit will connect national employers with local youth, creating real pathways to opportunity.
Sara will take part in a fireside chat at the event, with Weightmans’ Managing Partner, Sarah Walton.
Sara said:
“I am thrilled to be part of the Raise Up Youth Summit. Coming from a northern working-class background, I know first-hand how hard it can be to break through and secure opportunities. It is the responsibility of businesses to champion social mobility so that people from all walks of life can achieve their ambitions.
“I look forward to sharing my experiences, connecting with others facing similar challenges and working together to drive lasting change.”
Sara Lawton, Director of Rise Construction Framework and creator of the Raise Up Summit, said:
“We are in an era where young people are feeling left behind; unsure of what the future holds young people are feeling anxious about their futures. These anxieties are intensified for young people who come from low socio-economic backgrounds struggling to find opportunities.
“Raise Up has been created to lift the aspirations of young people whilst providing them with opportunities to help unleash their hidden talents. We are calling on employers to join us at Raise Up to show young people that they are valued and there is a hopeful future where they can reach their full potential.”
Sarah Walton, Managing Partner, Weightmans, said:
“From growing up in proud working-class towns in the north of England, where hard work and resilience are part of everyday life — to leading a national and international law firm — I’ve seen first-hand the importance of creating opportunities for talent from all backgrounds. Social mobility matters because talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. We have a responsibility as a business and as a profession to change that.”
The idea for the summit was born from a growing crisis: young people are feeling more disconnected from society than ever before. Since the pandemic, in-person interaction has dwindled, and Gen Z has been left to navigate a world shaped by toxic algorithms and social media echo chambers. The Netflix series, Adolescence captured this cultural moment, highlighting the emotional isolation, identity struggles, and digital overload facing today’s youth. Raise Up responds with a bold alternative: real-world connection, face-to-face dialogue, and tangible action.
For ticket information, visit www.raise-up.co.uk.
