Giving a Voice to Young People in Bedfordshire
A local charity that supports, mentors and provides access to young people who want a voice in Bedfordshire has recently been extended.
Bedford UpRising
UpRising is a part time leadership programme designed to open pathways to civic society and create future leaders in political and public life. It recruits talented young people from diverse backgrounds and equips them with the skills, experience and confidence to become the leaders of tomorrow and create positive change in their communities.
The programme originally launched in Bedford in October 2011, and was supported by the Harpur Trust. In 2013, the programme expanded to include Central Beds and Luton. To date, UpRising is working with 30 young people from Bedfordshire and Luton.
If you would like to find out more about the programme and how you could get involved just contact the charity via their website.
What is the purpose?
UpRising is political, but not party political. Created by Lord Young, it is supported by all parties.
This is what they say about their programme:
Our aim is to ensure that the next generation of people entering public life are from diverse backgrounds and are connected to and in touch with their communities and able to exercise power with responsibility, integrity and in the public interest.
UpRising is a nine month, part time, skills andknowledge programme, which will include the design and delivery of a social action campaign where you work with fellow UpRisers to tackle a real social issue in your area. The programme is intensive but it is also designed around you. Our sessions take place in the evening so you can fit UpRising around your work, study and other commitments.
The UpRising leadership programme consists of the following elements:
– A two-day residential leadership retreat
– Personal coaching and goal setting from professionals to help you get more from the programme
– Inspirational knowledge and skills sessions delivered by high profile leaders and educators.
– Mentoring by local professionals who are matched to your career aspirations.
– Design and delivery of your own social action campaign.
– Behind the scenes visits to major institutions such as the BBC, the Houses of Parliament, and the City council.
At the end of the programme, UpRisers automatically join our 450+ alumni group, the Emerging Leaders Network. We continue to support you through regular master classes, national events and the opportunity to gain further mentoring and contribute to the core programme.
Importantly, programmes like this can give a voice to talented young people to represent their community at every level, locally, nationally and internationally.
So, next time you hear young people saying “there is nothing to do”, perhaps you can point them to this post and invite them to get the skills to change that?