Youth Council, where young people make the difference!
Ready to join next years’ Youth Council? We’re recruiting now!
Speakers for Schools have a brilliant opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Our Youth Council is coming up for renewal in January 2025 and we’re searching for up to 20 young people like you (or like your students if you’re a teacher) who can’t wait to amplify your voice across a range of topics relating to careers education and future careers.
If you’d like to get to know our charity better, please click here to learn more about us first.
Why join us?
Members will:
Act as an advisory board for our teams, as a consultation with young people on the work we do, meeting online once or twice per month. You could be co-creating or sharing diverse insights on programmes and products, feeding back on impact surveys, writing letters to Ministers on youth initiatives, and so much more.
Get involved with in-person opportunities which vary from year to year – which could include attending or speaking at educational events, round table meetings with policy makers, MPs or employers, or campaign launches.
Receive training opportunities in press and media, chairperson and secretarial duties, as well as a full induction and chances to advance your personal development. All while representing your fellow students.
Who can apply?
Students who are:
In years 10 – 12 and aged 15 – 17
Studying at a UK state school or college
Passionate about giving young people a voice
If that applies to you, then please apply today!
Applications open on Monday the 4th of November 2024 for 4 weeks and close on Friday the 29th of November.
We’d love the chance to hear about you and the reasons why you’d like to join our Youth Council. To learn about and meet our current Youth Council, scroll down the page.
To read about the registration process, click to download our Application Guide
Who are our Youth Council and what do they do?
Young people are at the heart of what Speakers for Schools do, and so our Youth Council is vital to ensuring that our charity continues to provide the very best support it can. Each year, a diverse group of 15-17-year-olds from across the UK join us to provide insights into the challenges facing millions of state-educated students today.
This year, we have representatives from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and every corner of England from Sunderland to Newton Abbott – who are selected based on their interest in and passion for the causes that align with our social mobility mission.
Although the opportunities can vary year on year – depending on the focus of our work, interests of the group or individuals and external factors such as it being a general election year – the Youth Council can expect to:
1
Share their valued “youth voice”
Charity-wide teams consult with members to develop our work and make improvements or updates to our programmes – for example co-creating the design of a youth-led book club or helping to develop a template for Industry Spotlight Talks.
2
Attend external events
Whether it’s attending educational events such as the Festival of Education or other panel discussions with industry leaders, MPs, employers and educators – members speak to share their stories and opinions, representing both young people and our charity.
3
Gain experience and skills
Our Youth Council members get lots of chances for individual personal development – by gaining experience in a supportive team, developing skills such as communication, and getting access to specific training along the way.
Ready to meet our current Youth Council?
Our Youth Council are a group of like-minded young people from a diverse range of backgrounds UK-wide – who are working hard as we speak to make a real difference.
Here are this years’ members:
Why does being in the Youth Council matter?
“Unlike other areas of the UK, Glasgow is abundant in terms of work experience opportunities. However, there is a lack of awareness regarding the accessibility and availability. I want to share the bounties up for grabs and inform all young people about this treasure.”
Ahmad
Scotland
“I really like the professional and organised way that Speakers for Schools has involved us with their Youth Council. This coming year, I will apply to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics and hope to use this experience to learn more about the world of politics.”
Molly
Wales
“I hope that through my role I not only improve my confidence through public speaking but I have my voice heard for the good of other students who are in the same position as me – facing problems with access to work experience in our local regions and reaching our potential.”
Bitania
North East England
Our Youth Council in-action last year
Watch our short video to hear what members of last year’s dream team had to say about working with Speakers for Schools and each other. Listen to Joyce, Josh and Sophia as they share what it was like to be an important part of our charity!
Watch this short video to find out how it went!
News from the Youth Council
Have a look at what our Youth Council have been up to:
- Meet our new Youth Council
Meet our new Youth Council Welcome from Callum and Zephaniah Making change for young people is important. But to succeed, young people must be involved.… Read more: Meet our new Youth Council