Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy
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.
A clear 12-month journey
The programme launches on 12 August 2027 and progresses through Bronze, Silver and Gold, with four months at each stage and a certificate at the end of each.
Participants graduate with a completion certificate and completion badge and are invited to the Alumni programme. The first cohort aims to graduate on 12 August 2028.
Participants must be aged 13–25 on the cohort start date. They can finish and graduate if they turn 26 during the programme. All graduates are invited to Alumni regardless of age. Parent or guardian consent is required for participants under 18; adult participants manage their own agreement and permissions.
Dates, attendance and school commitments
Each month includes an approximately two-hour in-person session and an approximately 90-minute online group reflection session. Additional volunteering and project time varies by activity.
We will plan sessions outside school or college hours wherever possible. If an educational activity needs to take place during those hours, we can communicate with the school or college to discuss arrangements. Any necessary agreement will be discussed before participation.
If a young person falls behind because of circumstances outside their control, we will help them catch up as much as possible. Please tell us early so we can discuss the support available.
Session dates, venues and online joining arrangements will be shared with families.
Supporting the journey
Families can help by checking both monthly dates, helping their young person prepare for online reflection, encouraging them to complete their own tasks and celebrating their effort.
Please tell us about support needs, online access difficulties or changes that may affect participation.
Costs and practical arrangements
Participants will not be expected to pay towards being part of the Academy. Programme expenses will be covered through funding and grants. One Academy polo shirt is included free of charge; additional purchases are optional.
Transport and food arrangements will be explained before activities so families know what to organise and what support will be provided.
Please do not bring nuts or foods containing nuts to Academy activities. Declare allergies during enrolment and confirm current allergy information whenever the Academy provides food.
Information before enrolment
The family information pack will explain attendance, food, health, safeguarding, supervision, behaviour, privacy, complaints, accessibility and how progression and completion are recognised.
Optional photography and publicity permission will be handled separately from participation.