Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy
Young People
You have a place to begin
Perhaps you have big ambitions. Perhaps you are still figuring out what matters to you. Perhaps you want to make a difference but are unsure where to start.
YALA gives you opportunities to learn, contribute and discover what leadership means to you. You can develop your voice, meet people with different experiences and take on challenges that help you grow.
Bring your curiosity, your ideas and your willingness to get involved.
What you can experience
- Practical leadership activities and mentoring.
- Volunteering and community projects.
- Opportunities to meet and network with business leaders through Business Resilience sessions.
- Time to reflect, ask questions and plan your next steps.
- Certificates at Bronze, Silver and Gold, followed by a graduation certificate and completion badge.
- An invitation to the Alumni programme after graduation.
Age eligibility and progression
Who can join?
YALA welcomes young people aged 13 to 25 on the programme’s start date. Participants who turn 26 during the programme can continue through to completion and graduation.
The P R C A Youth Ambassador role ends at the participant’s 26th birthday. This does not affect their Academy place or eligibility to graduate.
All Academy graduates are invited to the Alumni programme, regardless of their age at graduation. Alumni activities and the Legacy Leader pathway follow separately agreed roles and arrangements.
P R C A Youth Ambassadors receive the first invitations. If spaces remain, other eligible young people in Rushmoor can join.
How to get involved at the P R C A Awards
Each year, P R C A works with a local secondary school or college in Rushmoor. The school or college helps us invite interested students to sign up to introduce an Awards category.
The number of students needed depends on the number of categories that year. Opportunities are allocated on a first come, first served basis through the participating school or college. Once the required number of students has signed up, the opportunity closes for that school or college for that year.
If your school or college is taking part, look out for its invitation and follow its sign-up instructions.
Becoming a P R C A Youth Ambassador
After taking part in the Awards, students are offered recognition as official P R C A Youth Ambassadors and receive a Youth Ambassador badge once they have accepted the role’s terms. Parent or guardian consent is required for anyone under 18.
Being a Youth Ambassador is a voluntary opportunity to represent P R C A, contribute to community activities and build your experience. You do not have to join the Academy to become or remain a Youth Ambassador.
What is expected of you?
As a Youth Ambassador, you are expected to:
- Represent P R C A positively. Show respect, honesty, responsibility and reliability when representing P R C A, including online.
- Honour agreed commitments. Attend activities you have agreed to support. If you cannot attend, notify P R C A at least 24 hours beforehand wherever possible, or as soon as you can in an emergency.
- Stay connected. Keep up with agreed communication channels, contribute ideas constructively and engage respectfully with other members.
- Respect confidentiality. Keep internal information, discussions and documents private. This must never prevent you from raising a safeguarding concern, reporting inappropriate behaviour or asking for help.
- Prepare for activities. Arrange your transport to and from activities and provide your own food and drinks unless P R C A confirms these will be supplied. Families should help with these arrangements where needed.
- Communicate support needs. Tell the P R C A team about any health, accessibility or other support needs relevant to your participation.
Support and supervision
Youth Ambassadors under 18 will be supervised by a DBS-checked, safeguarding-qualified P R C A team member during agreed and authorised P R C A events and functions.
Supervision applies only to the duration and location of those activities. Parents and guardians remain responsible for their young person outside these arrangements, including travel to and from activities.
Sharing your role and achievements
You may describe your Youth Ambassador role truthfully on your CV, social media and other appropriate platforms.
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.
How long does the role last?
You can continue as a Youth Ambassador until your 26th birthday, or withdraw earlier by notifying P R C A in writing. If you are also an Academy participant, turning 26 does not end your Academy place or prevent graduation. All graduates are invited to Alumni, regardless of age.
The badge remains P R C A property and must be returned when your role ends. Failure to meet the role’s expectations may result in warnings or removal from the Youth Ambassador programme.
Full terms and conditions, including any Awards ticket arrangements, will be shared before you accept the role.
From the Awards to the Academy
P R C A Youth Ambassadors are the first to receive invitations to join the Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy (YALA).
Joining the Academy is optional. Those who accept their offer begin the separate Academy sign-up and enrolment process.
The Academy is a free, 12-month leadership programme with workshops, mentoring, volunteering, community projects and supported reflection. Its participation and practical arrangements are explained separately from the Youth Ambassador role.
Remaining Academy places
If spaces remain after the invitation stage, they will be opened to other eligible young people aged 13 to 25 on the programme’s start date, on a first come, first served basis.
You can express your interest by completing our interest form. Registering interest does not guarantee a place, accept an offer or complete enrolment.
What you commit to
The Academy runs for 12 months. Each month includes an approximately two-hour in-person session and an approximately 90-minute online group reflection session, plus additional time for volunteering and projects depending on the activity.
Show respect, honesty, responsibility and reliability during activities and related online interactions. Help others feel welcome, valued and safe.
Tell us if you need support or if circumstances make participation difficult. If you fall behind for reasons outside your control, we will help you catch up as much as possible.
What does it cost?
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.
You will receive one Academy polo shirt free of charge. Additional shirts are available, but buying them is optional.