Future Voices Group (FVG) Ambassadors 2026–2027: Paid Youth Leadership Opportunity with the Youth Futures Foundation (England)

The Youth Futures Foundation has opened applications for the next cohort of its Future Voices Group (FVG) Ambassadors, offering a paid, long-term opportunity for young people across England to influence national conversations on youth employment, social mobility, and access to work. This 21-month programme is open to individuals aged 18 to 24 who bring lived experience, diverse perspectives, and a strong commitment to driving positive change for young people facing barriers to education and employment.

At the core of Youth Futures Foundation’s mission is the belief that young people most affected by employment challenges should help shape the systems designed to support them. The Future Voices Group exists to ensure that youth perspectives directly inform strategy, policy engagement, and organisational decision-making.

What Is the Future Voices Group (FVG)?

The Future Voices Group is a youth advisory and leadership body embedded within the Youth Futures Foundation. As an FVG Ambassador, you will play an active role in shaping the organisation’s work by sharing insights, advising on strategy, and collaborating with decision-makers to improve employment outcomes for young people across England.

Ambassadors work closely with staff, policymakers, employers, and partner organisations to ensure that lived experience is central to how youth employment systems are designed and delivered.

What the FVG Ambassador Programme Offers

Successful applicants will be paid £14.80 per hour, in line with the London Living Wage, for 10 hours per month, with opportunities for additional paid hours. The programme runs from March 2026 to December 2027 and combines online engagement with occasional in-person meetings. All travel and accommodation costs for in-person activities are fully covered.

As an FVG Ambassador, you will:

Advise the Youth Futures Foundation on its strategy, programmes, and approaches
Represent young people’s experiences in national discussions on employment and opportunity
Engage with policymakers and employers to influence systems affecting young people’s access to work
Collaborate on co-produced projects that aim to remove barriers to meaningful employment
Contribute to youth-led research, content creation, and advocacy initiatives

The programme also focuses on personal development, supporting Ambassadors to build confidence, leadership skills, communication abilities, and experience in influencing systems and policy.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be aged 18–24
Live in England
Have an interest in youth employment, social mobility, or improving access to opportunities

No formal qualifications or professional experience are required. The programme prioritises lived experience, motivation, and a genuine desire to improve outcomes for young people.

The Youth Futures Foundation particularly welcomes applications from individuals with lived experience of:

Vocational pathways, including apprenticeships
Universal Credit or Jobcentre support
The care system
The justice system
Racism or discrimination
Autism, learning disabilities, or learning difficulties
Mental health conditions
Long-term health conditions

Applications are especially encouraged from young people of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, or Black African heritage, as well as those with refugee or asylum seeker status, to ensure the cohort reflects the full diversity of experiences within England’s labour market.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the short application form by Sunday, 22 February 2026. Applications can be submitted in a format that suits you best, including:

Written responses
Video recordings
Voice notes

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to take part in a one-hour group Zoom session between 25 February and 6 March 2026. This session is designed to be informal and supportive, giving applicants the chance to learn more about the programme, meet others, and share their perspectives.

Applicants with accessibility needs or who require reasonable adjustments are encouraged to contact the Youth Inclusion Team so appropriate support can be provided.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Youth Futures Foundation is an equal opportunities, Living Wage, and Disability Confident employer. The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive and representative group of Ambassadors and values diversity across race, gender, class, identity, disability, and lived experience.

The Future Voices Group plays a vital role in shaping youth employment policy and practice by ensuring that young people’s realities inform national strategies, employer engagement, and system reform.

Key Date

Application deadline: 22 February 2026

The Future Voices Group Ambassadors programme 2026–2027 is a powerful platform for young people in England to lead, influence, and reshape the systems that affect their futures. If you are passionate about improving access to meaningful work for young people, this is an opportunity to make your voice count.

Application can be accessed here.