Connected Futures Ambassadors

I became a Connected Futures Ambassador to amplify my voice as a young person in Burnley and to help drive systemic change in employability and education for those who are NEET, care leavers, or from a South Asian background.

Currently, I am investing my time in the Burnley Partnership as a volunteer youth panel member, contributing to project management meetings, workshops, and system change collaborations to share my perspective as a young person.

Additionally, I volunteer at the local youth hub as an Employment Coach to further develop and refresh my skills in employability, education, and youth work. As a CF ambassador, I want to continue highlighting the incredible work and insights that young people bring to the table. No matter how quiet their voice may be.

I became a Connected Futures Ambassador because I’m passionate about making education and employment more accessible for all young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Having witnessed the impact of youth unemployment firsthand, I am familiar with the barriers many face when trying to access opportunities.

Currently, I’m training to become a teacher and have a strong interest in education policy. I work with other organisations in the hopes of improving these systems by advocating for inclusive education and mental health support to ensure every young person has the environment and resources they need to thrive.

As an Ambassador, I want to use my voice to break down barriers to employment, amplify the experiences of those who are underrepresented, and help shape a future where no young person is left behind.

I’m excited about this role and the important work we will accomplish together to create meaningful change.

I became a Connected Futures Ambassador because I believe it is crucial to dismantle the preconceptions that exist about unemployed young people and to highlight support that encourages them to grow until they are ready for work, and they find a job that is right for them.

I’m a creative at heart and I am incredibly passionate about social issues and making the world a better place for everyone. Getting to be creative at the same time as engaging my passion for activism and making a genuine positive difference to the system through those creative outlets is a dream come true.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to shout about the incredible work we are doing for populations that often get left behind; getting the national recognition for this work that it deserves and potentially effecting future systemic change is really exciting.

I became a Connected Futures Ambassador because, as someone who as a young person has lived experience where I fell out of the system multiple times and have had to rebuild my way up, I wanted to contribute positively towards what young people may need because of their negative experiences within their own stories.

What is important to me as of right now is investing in myself and valuing opportunities that allow me to connect with other people’s stories while developing my own in unique spaces. This is because I am finding myself within many opportunities that I never thought I would discover just with an open mind.

The change that I want to make as part of youth voice as an ambassador is to illuminate that youth voice isn’t a battle but a conversation. One worth engaging with. And one that isn’t misconstrued on stereotypes nor hear say but real-life experience.

I became a Connected Futures Ambassador because I’m passionate about helping people reach their full potential. I’m focused on supporting young people and those in my community to find meaningful jobs, build confidence, and see real value in themselves. I believe that with the right encouragement and access to opportunities, anyone can succeed.

I’m actively involved in work that creates pathways into employment, whether through events, outreach, or one-on-one support. For me, it’s about more than just work — it’s about purpose, dignity, and direction.

Alongside this, I’m also developing my career in real estate to gain financial knowledge and long-term stability, but my heart is in community work. I want to inspire others to aim higher, take chances, and believe they have something valuable to offer. Every conversation, every connection, is a chance to make a difference — and I’m here for that.

My lived experiences of being neurodivergent is what led to me to become a Connected Futures Ambassador. I am passionate about influencing the systems within education and employment for young people. I studied Medical Physiology and Therapeutics degree. In the future I would like to have a career in healthcare science. In my spare time, I am a charity shop volunteer for the British Heart Foundation, Youth committee member for the East Midlands and a Taekwondo Athlete.

It’s important for me to use my voice to enable positive change as in the past I have always felt judged because of my differences. However, to be a youth voice ambassador for the D2N2 partnership has made me more confident in public speaking. The ideas I have contributed so far has made me feel a valued member of the team. The huge change I would like to see in the future is accessible employment opportunities for young people with a wide range of disabilities including SEND as they face significant barriers entering employment. Many disabled people have the skills and experience required to enter work which should be recognised and not overlooked by employers.