I became a Youth Voice Ambassador because I am deeply passionate about addressing youth unemployment and expanding access to opportunities, especially in STEM fields. Currently, I work as an engineer at Rolls-Royce and I hope to return to university for a master’s degree. Alongside my career, I mentor university students, helping them navigate their career paths. Right now, I’m focused on making STEM careers more accessible to young people and I want to use my own experiences to bring about change. As a Youth Voice Ambassador, I hope to raise awareness for care leavers in particular and create more opportunities for all young people to succeed!
I joined the Future Voices Group because I believe young people should have the right to shape their own futures, especially when it comes to employment and education. Coming from a working-class background, I’ve seen firsthand how systemic barriers can limit opportunities, and I want to challenge these inequalities.
I will soon be studying Politics and International Relations at university, with the goal of working in a field that drives real systemic political change in the UK. I’m also involved in activism, focusing on climate justice and youth voice.
Right now, I’m in an exciting stage of my life, full of change and new opportunities. As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, I want to push for a just transition in the job market—one that values young workers, provides proper support, and ensures they are empowered rather than exploited.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador because I believe in creating real, lasting change for young people facing barriers to education and employment. With 1 in 8 young people unemployed or out of education, and those from minority backgrounds facing even greater challenges, I’m passionate about breaking down these barriers and building a more inclusive system that empowers young people to thrive.
After graduating from university, I’m preparing to start my master’s next year. This experience has opened my eyes to the struggles many graduates face, with 1 in 20 left unemployed after completing their studies. It’s clear that progression pathways for young people need to be stronger and more accessible.
As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, my mission is to drive youth participation in policy-making and inspire young people to take ownership of their futures. I want to spotlight diverse, relatable young leaders to show that success is possible for everyone, no matter their background.
I joined the Future Voices Group to actively make a difference and improve social mobility for young people from marginalised backgrounds. I am an advocate for youth voice and better access to a quality education. I joined the Future Voices Group to contribute to a positive change to youth employment. I aim to be the voice for young people experiencing challenges to accessing employment and alternatives to the traditional education routes. I currently work with different charities and cross sector organisations to address social issues and provide insight as a young person. I look forward to working together with other young people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, I am passionate about creating opportunities for young people from minority ethnic and low-income backgrounds. Growing up without role models to guide me in finding jobs, I experienced firsthand the barriers to employment and social mobility. Now, I strive to be the mentor I once needed, supporting and advocating for those facing similar struggles.
I am currently studying A-Level Business, Economics, and Sociology and preparing to start a finance apprenticeship. My goal is to drive real change by increasing representation, especially among Black youth, and breaking down barriers that limit access to opportunities.
I believe every young person deserves a fair chance, no matter their background. My mission is to empower others by providing guidance, support, and resources so they can reach their full potential and build a brighter future.
Member of the Policy Engagement subgroup.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador with the aim of amplifying the voices of young people from marginalised communities. Having faced challenges in securing a job and navigating the workplace, I understand the struggles many young people face when starting their professional journeys. My goal is to be a voice for these young people, advocating for more opportunities and better representation.
I’m currently in my final year of university and planning on pursuing a master’s in policy. In the future, I aspire to shape policies that lead to transformative change for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.
As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, I am dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for individuals with special needs, focusing on their access to education and employment opportunities. My journey began with a personal commitment to make a difference in the lives of students with special needs by promoting supported internship programmes across the UK.
Currently, I work at Kendray Hospital as a Facilities Operative, where I manage various tasks, including stacking linen, delivering meals to patients, and supporting mental health wards. My experience in supported internships includes rotations in patient portering, sterile services, and facilities portering through the Project SEARCH programme. This invaluable experience led me to secure a nearly full-time job at Kendray Hospital.
My mission is to create a future where supported internships are widely recognised and accessible, ensuring that students with special needs have the opportunities they deserve and make sure they get employment.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador because I believe in the power of young people to create meaningful change. Growing up, I often felt like my voice wasn’t heard so I wanted to make sure that other young people have a platform to express themselves.
Currently I work as a barista for a company whose main focus is rehabilitation and giving those who would be ignored a chance to change, do better and start again.
Right now, I’m passionate about mental health awareness and access to resources for young people. In my community, many peers struggle with mental health challenges but don’t know where to turn for help.
As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, I aim to break the stigma around mental health and push for more supportive environments in schools and communities. I believe that by amplifying the voices of young people, we can drive positive change and create a future where everyone has the support they need to thrive.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador to amplify young people’s voices and create real change. Many face barriers like discrimination, limited resources, and a gap between their skills and opportunities. These challenges create uncertainty about their future, making it harder to access education or employment. Through this role, I will advocate for greater support, inclusivity, and opportunities that empower young people to succeed.
I am studying Business and Management at university and enjoying both the course and experience. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I gain to pursue a career in this field.
What’s important to me is ensuring young people are supported and have access to fair and equal opportunities. As a Future Voices Group Ambassador, I am eager to contribute to this organisation and team to create a space where all young people can thrive. It’s crucial to consider equity, as every young person has a unique story and starting point. Our solutions must reflect these differences to help them succeed in the future.
I became a Youth Ambassador because it provides me with the opportunity learn and engage more with the varied topic of youth unemployment, while also providing a space for me to contribute my knowledge and expertise as a young black woman who has navigated the apprenticeship space. Diversity, equity and inclusion is incredibly important to me, because without diversity of people there is no diversity of thought.
For the last year, I have been working as an Online Safety Policy Advisor specifically contributing to policies across gender based violence and abuse. Currently I’m starting a role as a Policy and Public Affairs Officer in the gaming sector. As a former apprentice, I’m eager to continue to advocate for apprenticeships as a whole and the opportunity they provide for a variety of people alongside the benefits they provide for wider society.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador because young people like me—those with significant neurodevelopmental and mental health needs—deserve more than survival. We deserve opportunities, respect and systems that work for us not against us. Too often we are dismissed, forced to mask our struggles or left behind. I refuse to accept that.
Balancing studying and working in a world that was not built for me is exhausting. I have faced the stigma, the inaccessibility and the constant fight for basic support. I know I am not alone in this.
What matters to me is creating a world where young people with additional needs are not just seen but valued. Our strengths should be recognised and our workplaces must accommodate us properly. Mental health support requires a proactive approach, not to be a last resort.
As an Future Voices Group Ambassador, I want to break down barriers in employment, challenge stigma and push for real change so young people like me are empowered to thrive.
I became a Future Voices Group Ambassador to help empower young people, make their voices heard, and advocate for meaningful change. I’m passionate about making a difference and providing opportunities for the next generation to thrive. I’m looking for new opportunities to broaden my knowledge of different ways to support young people.
The most important thing to me right now is my family. I want to pursue different opportunities that may come my way and create positive change for others.
Becoming a Future Voices Group Ambassador is an opportunity I deeply cherish, as it allows me to advocate for young people from my social and ethnic background in discussions on youth employment. Having faced the systemic barriers of homelessness, which severely disrupted my education and resulted in my premature unemployment, I understand firsthand the challenges many young people face in accessing opportunities.
As Director of Talent Acquisition at my student-led strategy consultancy, I actively implement inclusive hiring practices to support underrepresented talent. Through my recruitment strategies, I have expanded access to opportunities for students with little to no prior work experience, equipping them with valuable consulting skills and enabling them to secure internships and graduate roles at top firms across finance, consulting, and technology.
My Sociology studies at the University of Warwick allow me to apply evidence-based approaches to widening participation, reinforcing my commitment to tackling youth unemployment and creating lasting change.