Youth Council, where young people make the difference!

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:

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.

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.

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.

Want to be part of it? Recruitment for next years’ Youth Council will open in Autumn 2024, with more information coming soon.

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!

This is a button!

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

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions

Youth Council members sign up initially to a term of 1 year, running from February through to January the following year. Members may serve for up to two consecutive years provided they remain within the age limits of the membership qualifications. 

Youth Council members are invited to attend monthly online events and there will also be opportunities to participate in both in-person and online events and meetings throughout the course of the year.

In addition to the regular monthly online meetings, there will also be opportunities to participate in both in-person and online events and meetings throughout the course of the year. These opportunities could include but are not limited to:  Roundtable discussions with employers, educators, and/or MPs.  Project work, working with one of the departments within Speakers for Schools. 

Speakers for Schools will reimburse any travel and subsistence costs incurred with performing duties associated with this voluntary role. This includes all travel and subsistence costs for the 2-day residential in February 2024 and any other in-person events that Youth Council members attend on behalf of Speakers for Schools.

As Youth Council members are aged 15-17, we will require consent from your Parent/Carer for you to take part. We will seek their consent as part of the application process and further consents may be sought for images of you to appear in the press, as well as in Speakers for Schools collateral, and on its website and social media channels for promotional purposes.

Serving as a Youth Council member is a purely voluntary role and as such is unpaid. There will be opportunities for fully funded training as part of this role and Speakers for Schools will reimburse any travel and subsistence costs incurred with performing duties associated with the role.

As a group you will meet for monthly online meetings. The dates and times of these meetings will be agreed upon as a group. To get the most out of your role, we would advise you to try to attend every scheduled Youth Council meeting. However, if for whatever reason you are unable to attend an upcoming meeting, where possible please let us know in advance so that we can advise the other members. In addition to the regular monthly online meetings, there will also be opportunities to participate in both in-person and online events and meetings throughout the course of the year. These opportunities could include but are not limited to: Roundtable discussions with employers, educators, and/or MPs.  Project work, working with one of the departments within Speakers for Schools. 

Speakers for Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all Youth Council members, whether that is at an in-person event or in a virtual setting. Access the full Safeguarding Policy  here

If you have any further questions, please email:
youthcouncil@speakersforschools.org