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Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy

Find your voice. Build your confidence. Lead positive change.

You don’t have to feel confident to begin. You just need the willingness to try, learn and grow.

P R C A Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy (YALA) is a free, 12-month leadership journey designed to help young people become confident, resilient and community-minded leaders.

Through workshops, mentoring, volunteering, community projects and supported reflection, participants explore their strengths, develop practical skills and discover how they can make a difference.

For families, it is an opportunity to support a young person’s personal growth and future ambitions. For businesses, funders and community supporters, it is an opportunity to help develop the next generation of leaders.

Five young people in formal dress standing in a line with a woman wearing a medal

Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy

A leadership journey with purpose

Leadership starts with understanding yourself. It grows through working with others, taking responsibility and putting what you learn into action.

The Academy connects practical learning with reflection through:

  • Leadership workshops and mentoring.
  • Communication, teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Resilience development and career learning.
  • Business Resilience sessions with opportunities to meet and network with business leaders.
  • Volunteering and community projects.
  • Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates, followed by graduation.

Our first cohort

We aim to welcome up to 25 participants to the Academy each year.

The Academy launches on 12 August 2027, marking International Youth Day. The first cohort aims to graduate on 12 August 2028. The programme welcomes young people aged 13 to 25 on the start date.

Each month includes a approximately two-hour in-person session and an approximately 90-minute online group reflection session. Volunteering and project work require additional time depending on the task or activity.

Participation is free. Participants will not be expected to pay towards being part of the Academy; programme expenses will be covered through funding and grants.

Programme and Pathways

One year. Three stages. Opportunities that grow.

YALA is a 12-month programme with three leadership stages: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each lasts four months, with a certificate at the end of each stage.

  1. Stage 1

    Bronze - Discover your potential

    Bronze introduces the foundations of leadership. Explore your strengths, find your voice and understand how your actions affect others.

    Bronze - Discover your potential →
  2. Stage 2

    Silver - Put your skills into action

    Silver builds on your foundations. Develop your ability to work with others, respond to challenges and contribute to shared goals.

    Silver - Put your skills into action →
  3. Stage 3

    Gold - Lead with purpose

    Gold brings your leadership skills together through purposeful action. Develop your ability to plan, make decisions and help others work towards a shared outcome.

    Gold - Lead with purpose →

Young People

How places are offered

Joining begins by invitation. Students who introduce a category at the P R C A Awards are offered recognition as P R C A Youth Ambassadors and receive a badge once they accept the role’s terms, with parent or guardian consent if under 18. They are the first to be invited to join the Academy. Joining is optional; those who accept begin the separate enrolment process.

If spaces remain after this invitation stage, they will be opened to other eligible young people. Available places are offered on a first come, first served basis, subject to eligibility.

You can register your interest whether you are a P R C A Youth Ambassador or another young person hoping to join. Registering interest does not guarantee a place.

Permission to publish your photograph or biography will be requested separately. Publicity is optional and is not a condition of becoming a Youth Ambassador or joining the Academy.

Programme and Pathways

Legacy Leader - Help shape what comes next

The Legacy Leader pathway offers a direction for sustained contribution: supporting future leaders, developing community initiatives, strengthening partnerships and helping improve the Academy over time. Details of Alumni activities and the Legacy Leader pathway will be shared separately. These follow the 12-month Academy programme.

A group of people of all ages walking together outdoors

Parents and Guardians

Help your young person grow in confidence and responsibility

YALA connects personal development with practical experience. Young people practise communicating, working with others, managing responsibilities and thinking about their future.

Volunteering and community projects help them understand the value of their contribution. Business Resilience sessions introduce them to business leaders and new perspectives on leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions and Information Area

  • 1. How do I join?

    P R C A Youth Ambassadors receive the first invitations after taking part in the Awards. If you accept your Academy offer, you begin the sign-up and enrolment process. If spaces remain, they will be opened to other eligible young people on a first come, first served basis. The interest form lets you express interest; it does not accept an offer, complete enrolment or guarantee a place.

  • 2. How many young people join each year?

    We aim to welcome up-to 25 participants each year. Places are limited, and registering interest does not guarantee a place.

  • 3. Who is eligible?

    The Academy is for young people in living or studying Rushmoor aged 13 to 25 on its start date. Participants who turn 26 during the programme can complete it and graduate. All graduates are invited to the Alumni programme regardless of age. P R C A Youth Ambassadors receive the first invitations; remaining spaces are opened to other eligible young people.

  • 4. When does the Academy start?

    The first cohort launches on 12 August 2027 and aims to graduate on 12 August 2028.

  • 5. How much time does it take?

    Each month includes approximately two hours in person and 90 minutes of online group reflection. Volunteering and projects require additional time depending on each activity.

  • 6. Where are sessions held?

    Venue depends on the host location. Online reflection sessions follow the practical sessions; joining details will be shared with participants and families.

  • 7. Is the Academy free?

    Yes. Participants will not be expected to pay towards participation. Programme expenses will be covered through funding and grants. One Academy polo shirt is provided free; additional shirts are optional purchases.

  • 8. Will sessions clash with school or college?

    We will plan sessions outside school or college hours wherever possible. If this is not possible for an educational activity, we can communicate with the school or college to discuss arrangements before participation.

  • 9. What if someone misses sessions or falls behind?

    Tell us as early as possible. Where circumstances outside a participant’s control cause them to fall behind, we will help them catch up as much as possible. Attendance and completion arrangements will be explained before enrolment.

  • 10. What recognition do participants receive?

    Bronze, Silver and Gold each last four months within the same 12-month programme. Participants receive a certificate at the end of each stage. At graduation they receive a completion certificate and completion badge and are invited to the Alumni programme.

  • 11. How do students sign up to introduce an Awards category?

    Each year, P R C A works with a local secondary school or college, which invites interested students to sign up. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis through that school or college. The number of places depends on the number of Awards categories. Sign-up closes for that school or college for the year when the required number is reached.

  • 12. What is the difference between a PoRCA Youth Ambassador and an Alumni Ambassador?

    Students who introduce a category at the Awards are offered recognition as P R C A Youth Ambassadors after the event. They receive their badge once they accept the role’s terms, with parent or guardian consent if under 18. They are separately invited to join YALA. An Alumni Ambassador is a graduate who continues contributing after completing the Academy. The Youth Ambassador badge is separate from the Academy completion badge.

  • 13. Do I have to join the Academy to remain a Youth Ambassador?

    No. The Youth Ambassador role is voluntary and separate from the Academy. You can accept the Ambassador role and decline an Academy invitation.

  • 14. Are the Ambassador and Academy practical arrangements the same?

    No. For Ambassador activities, you or your family arrange transport and provide food and drinks unless P R C A confirms otherwise. Academy participation is free, with programme expenses covered through funding and grants. Academy transport and food arrangements will be explained separately before activities.

  • 15. Is photography or publicity compulsory?

    No. Permission is requested separately and is optional. Declining publicity does not prevent you from being a Youth Ambassador or joining the Academy.

  • 16. Can a business support the Academy without providing money?

    Yes. Businesses and other supporters can offer mentoring, host a theme or workshop, arrange suitable visits, share professional experience or provide resources and expertise.

  • 17. What if a young person needs additional support?

    Contact us before joining to discuss support needs, accessibility, reasonable adjustments or online access difficulties. Detailed health and allergy information will be collected separately during enrolment.

Register your interest

Your leadership journey could begin here.

You can register your interest whether you are a P R C A Youth Ambassador or another young person hoping to join. Registering interest does not guarantee a place.