The Faces of Change: Dorcas and Farhad
In this fourth article of The Faces of Change series, we turn to two more agents of transformation—Dorcas and Farhad. Both have harnessed their creativity and passion to make a real impact through The Agency. Their journeys demonstrate how young people with bold ideas can shape their communities and push boundaries, all with the support of a platform that believes in them.
Dorcas and Farhad both joined The Agency Manchester at Contact and they embody The Agency’s mission: to empower young people, foster collaboration, and ignite change from within. Through their individual projects and collective experiences, they inspire others to take risks, trust the process, and drive meaningful social change. Both images were captured by Alumni Agent Bounty Vegah.
Dorcas Q&A
What was the most memorable experience you had during your time with The Agency?
One of the most memorable experiences was seeing the transformative impact of our projects on the community. The moment when our ideas came to life and made a huge difference was incredibly rewarding. The power of young people’s ideas is essential because The Agency encourages us to shape them into projects and mentors us throughout the entire process.
How has being part of The Agency influenced your personal or professional life?
It’s really shaped both my personal and professional life. It provided me with valuable skills in creative entrepreneurship, strategic thinking, and community engagement. Professionally, it opened doors to new opportunities and networks, while personally, it boosted my confidence and commitment to social impact.
What advice would you give to new participants joining The Agency?
Embrace every opportunity with an open mind and a proactive attitude. Build strong connections with peers, mentors, and the community. Don’t be afraid to take risks and innovate—this is the time to explore your passions and drive meaningful change.
Since you took part in the programme, has anyone you know become an Agent?
Yes, I’ve seen multiple friends join the program, inspired by the success and impact of our projects.
Have you developed your project since leaving The Agency?
Yes, I have continued to develop my project beyond the programme, and it’s been exciting to see the ongoing growth and impact.
Are you in touch or still friends with anyone from The Agency?
Absolutely. I am still in touch with several friends and collaborators from The Agency. We continue to support each other and stay connected through various social events. The bonds formed during the programme have remained strong.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” and “Trust the process.”
If you could instantly learn any skill or talent, what would it be and why?
If I could instantly learn any skill, it would be advanced data analytics. Understanding and leveraging data can significantly enhance the impact of social projects by providing deeper insights and more effective strategies.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?
“Navigating Change: From Vision to Impact.” It would reflect the journey of turning creative ideas into tangible outcomes, and the challenges and successes along the way.
Farhad Q&A
What was the most memorable experience you had during your time with The Agency?
The first time I pitched my project idea was my most memorable experience. Standing in front of a panel of people who believed in my vision was surreal. The feedback I received helped me refine my project and gave me the push I needed to keep going. Another moment that stands out was collaborating with other agents at different stages of their journeys. That sense of community is something special.
How has being part of The Agency influenced your personal or professional life?
The Agency has been a game-changer for me, both personally and professionally. It’s given me confidence and the skills to take an idea from concept to completion. Professionally, it opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed. I’ve gained experience in project management, public speaking, and networking, which are skills I continue to use in my current role. The process has also helped me realise that I want to continue working on social impact projects in the future.
What advice would you give to new participants joining The Agency?
Don’t hold back! Whatever idea you have, no matter how big or small, run with it. The Agency is there to support you, so take advantage of every opportunity. Also, stay flexible—your project will likely evolve in ways you didn’t expect, and that’s a good thing. Be open to learning and embrace the process, because it’s not just about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.
Since you took part in the programme, has anyone you know become an Agent?
Yes, a few of my friends joined after I told them about my experience. It’s been great to see them take on the challenge and thrive.
Have you developed your project since leaving The Agency?
Yes, I’ve continued to work on it and have added new elements. I’ve connected with more people in the community and found new ways to make a greater impact.
Are you in touch or still friends with anyone from The Agency?
Definitely. I’ve stayed connected with several people, and we still support each other. Being part of The Agency feels like being part of a family.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill.
If you could instantly learn any skill or talent, what would it be and why?
I’d love to learn coding. There’s so much you can do with it, especially when it comes to social impact projects and creating platforms that reach more people.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?
From Vision to Reality.
Farhad’s project is called Potential, click here to head to the website and learn more about what he is doing.Enjoyed this read? This was the fourth article in our first series ‘The Faces of Change’ keep an eye out for more!
In the meantime take a look at some more of the fantastic portraits taken by Bounty Vegah and Chimna Orji to celebrate 10 years of The Agency in the UK.
