Gaming. Cars. Music. Hair. Sport. Building. Cooking. Tech. Media. Whatever you're into — or even if you haven't got a clue yet — Youth Futures is about giving you the chance to try things, learn useful skills and see where they could take you.
We're creating places, activities and mobile youth buses where you can do something rather than sit through somebody talking at you.
You might come because there's a gaming tournament. Maybe you discover you like building PCs. That could lead to coding or cybersecurity. Maybe you jump onto the builders bus and find out you're brilliant with tools. Or you try barbering, music production, mechanics, cooking or coaching.
There isn't one right route. The point is to help you discover yours.
The exact activities will change depending on where we are and who we're working with. These are some of the things we want Youth Futures to bring into communities.
Play, compete, build teams, stream, run tournaments and learn what goes on behind the games.
Gaming → tech → careersGet hands-on with mechanics, diagnostics, detailing, styling and future vehicle technology.
Cars → skills → automotiveMake tracks, DJ, podcast, shoot video, take photos and create content you're actually proud of.
Create → publish → developTry tools, woodwork, construction and practical challenges with people who know the trades.
Try it → build it → learn itTry styling, barbering and salon skills and meet people working in the industry.
Style → confidence → careerBuild PCs, code, create robots, use 3D printers and mess around with technology in a good way.
Make → solve → inventTrain, compete, learn coaching skills and find activities that make you feel good.
Move → lead → coachCook proper food, try challenges, learn kitchen skills and explore hospitality careers.
Cook → learn → createDon't see your thing here? Good. Tell us what we're missing. Young people should help decide what comes next.
You suggest it → we listenYou can start small. Try something because it looks fun. If you like it, there can be somewhere to go next.
Find a Youth Futures activity, bus or event near you and give it a go.
No pressure to be brilliant. Learn, experiment, compete, make things and ask questions.
If something clicks, come back and take it further. Some activities can lead to badges, certificates or training.
Meet colleges, employers, mentors and training providers who can help turn an interest into a next step.
Finding one thing you're interested in is enough to start.
Keep a record of the things you've tried, skills you've learned, projects you've completed and certificates you've earned. It's something you can eventually show a college, training provider or employer.
That might be another Youth Futures programme, a course, mentor, work experience, apprenticeship, college place or eventually a job. You decide how far you want to take it.
We want young people involved in deciding what the buses contain, what activities happen, where we go and what Youth Futures becomes.
Seriously. Adults are very good at designing things for young people that young people never asked for.
If we're going to do this properly, we need young people telling us what they would actually turn up for, what would make them feel welcome and what opportunities they want.
Your opinion isn't an afterthought. It's part of how Youth Futures should work.
Youth Futures should be welcoming, respectful and safe for everyone who takes part.
Activities should be properly run, risk assessed and supported by people who understand safeguarding.
You should be treated with respect, and the same is expected between everyone taking part.
If something doesn't feel right, there should always be a clear way to speak to a trusted member of the team.
We're building Youth Futures around what young people actually want to do. Tell us what activity, skill, event or bus would make you want to turn up.