But…what is a SuperSquad?
A practical, paid work experience programme where teens engage with real business and societal challenges.
This SuperSquad brought together 100 young people from across the UK. They joined with a shared purpose, which was to explore social action and understand how their ideas could create change in their own communities. The brief from Aviva asked them to look closely at the real issues around them and to design practical solutions that could improve life for others.
The challenge encouraged them to think deeply, ask better questions and use their lived experience as a strength. It also introduced them to the full Sherpas innovation process, where each teen produced more than one hundred ideas during the research and design sessions. This created a powerful foundation for original thinking and genuine social value.
The ideas from this Squad covered a wide range of community challenges. Many focused on reducing loneliness among young people and older adults. Others addressed the need for safe community spaces where people can talk, connect and find support. Several ideas explored food access and ways to help families who are struggling.
There were also ideas for improving mental health support, celebrating culture within neighbourhoods, and creating simple ways to bring people together. Some teens designed awareness campaigns, while others created new services or practical tools that could be run locally.
The ideas were imaginative, personal and grounded in empathy. They showed how young people understand the needs of their communities and how much value they can bring when given the right tools and encouragement.
In just six weeks, the Aviva Social Action SuperSquad transformed a complex social challenge into real, practical ideas that mattered. Many arrived with little understanding of social action, yet every one of them progressed, proving again that when young people are trusted with real problems and real responsibility, they rise to it.
Real-World Impact to our Young People:
✅ 49% improved critical thinking – identifying biases, building curiosity, and analysing new concepts they had never explored before.
✅ 47% enhanced collaboration – developing listening skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work respectfully across diverse teams.
✅ 49% boosted creativity – generating over 100 ideas each through experimentation, brainstorming, and divergent thinking.
✅ 44% grew in communication – strengthening written, verbal, and digital communication via workplace-style tools such as email and Slack.
✅ £3,900–£5,900 potential wage premium per student – based on Skills Builder’s research. At the lower end of the scale, this SuperSquad could see a combined uplift of £195,000 across the group.
Improving these skills has a proven link to a wage premium of at least £3,900 per student — meaning the development achieved in this SuperSquad translates to real long-term economic benefit for every young person involved.
One idea that stood out across the Squad focused on reducing loneliness by creating simple community drop in circles. These circles would run in local halls, youth centres or libraries, offering a calm space where people could talk, play games, meet others and feel part of something. The idea came from a Sherpee who recognised how many young people and older adults feel disconnected in their daily lives.
Their proposal included trained teen volunteers to welcome guests, themed conversation starters, and small activities that make it easier for people to relax. It also suggested a partnership model where local councils or charities could support the running costs.
This idea was powerful because it was rooted in lived experience and designed with empathy. It was also practical, low cost and easy to adopt in any community. It captured exactly what the Squad set out to achieve, which was to create change that feels human, simple and accessible.
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Contains a detailed overview of the programmes and a bid support appendix
