UK Youth Ambassadors are advocates for the DofE and want to inspire others. They are enthusiastic about sharing their stories and ensuring youth voices are heard. They’re collaborators, looking to work with other like-minded people from across the UK.
They are both positive and solution-focused, with an interest in tackling issues which are affecting society, and are determined to make a positive, lasting change, both within the DofE and in the wider world.
Sound like you? Read more about the work our UK Youth Ambassadors do and find out how to apply to our 2024-25 programme.
Get to know last year’s UK Youth Ambassadors.
Do you have burning questions about applying to become a 2024-25 UK Youth Ambassador? Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Head to our blog to read more about the work our UK Youth Ambassadors have supported.
Youth Ambassadors contribute across four key areas:
Taking place monthly, Skills Building Workshops develop Youth Ambassadors’ skills and helps them to excel in the role. Previously the Ambassadors have heard from inspirational speakers and had media training, mental health awareness and visual goalsetting.
From political party conferences to DofE fundraising events, Youth Ambassadors represent DofE at a number of events throughout the year. These can be online, in their region, UK-wide or even internationally. Take a look at some events Youth Ambassadors have been involved in.
Youth Ambassadors play a key part in ensuring that DofE remains relevant, challenging, accessible and achievable for all. They are involved in giving feedback, sharing views and joining different focus groups. The 2023-24 cohort of Youth Ambassadors have shaped the DofE’s brand awareness, fed back on changes to expedition requirements, tackled the topic of meaningful volunteering and helped to choose the first This is Youth winners.
Youth Ambassadors regularly feature on DofE’s social media and website. From writing blogs to co-creating videos, content creation is a key part of the role. In the past Youth Ambassadors have been involved in raising awareness of the range of activities participants can do for their Skills section in a video for World Youth Skills Day.
Several Youth Ambassadors have also starred in DofE’s People like YOUth film series.
The highlight of the year for me was co-hosting the Youth Without Limits Live: Beyond the CV event in front more than 200 young people; moments like that are helping me to become a more outgoing person, and I owe a lot of that to the DofE!The Youth Ambassadors have made me feel part of a team, and to feel encouragement and supportiveness that I have not felt before. Having adults ask your opinions and feeling listened to has given me more confidence to speak out. Most of all, I enjoy putting on my polo shirt and feel proud! Proud for not only finishing my own DofE Awards, but for encouraging others to join in too.This role has sincerely been the best opportunity that I've taken. I've done so much networking and made so many new friends that I know will set me up for life. It has been an unforgettable experience.One of my highlights was going to the Netherlands for an International Award conference. We got to meet people from all over Europe and share our different experiences of DofE! I got to lead a workshop on the UK Youth Ambassador programme, which was a great chance to practice public speaking and deliver a presentation.I attended the first ever UK Youth Ambassadors and International Award Emerging Leaders engagement event in London. We took part in a Race Across the City team-building challenge and heard from an organisation called Kids Against Plastic. The workshop made me think more about what I can do in my community. I learnt that DofE is much bigger than just the UK and plays an important role across the world.Being a UK Youth Ambassador has given me a different perspective on how DofE works behind the scenes and the work that goes into supporting young people. I have got to know inspiring people, hear inspiring stories, found new interests, and learned new skills that I can use within teaching, my career, and my personal life.The programme has been so much better than I ever expected. I was reluctant to sign up, thinking I'd be too shy, and no-one would listen to what I had to say; but it has been so rewarding to be part of a like-minded community of young people who come from such diverse backgrounds. One highlight was speaking alongside the Children's Commissioner at the Lib Dem party conference. I really felt my voice was being listened to and that I could make an impact on young people's futures.The DofE UK Youth Ambassador programme is generously supported by The Gosling Foundation
