Over the last 12 months, Ultra Education’s Youth Advisory Board has played a critical role in shaping our work. Made up of 15 alumni aged 12–19 from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, and Manchester, the Board exists to ensure that young people are not simply consulted, but actively influence decisions that affect them.
Meeting regularly across four formal sessions, the Youth Advisory Board has contributed directly to programme design, curriculum refinement, events delivery, research feedback, advocacy activity, and co-delivery. Their insights have strengthened the relevance, accessibility, and credibility of our provision, particularly for young people from underserved communities.
Crucially, this has not been a symbolic exercise. The Board’s recommendations have led to tangible changes, including improvements to youth engagement pathways, clearer progression routes for alumni, and stronger mechanisms for ongoing support beyond programme completion. Several new programme elements introduced this year were shaped directly by young people’s feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and what is missing.
The Board has also supported Ultra Education’s external-facing work, contributing to consultations, research insight, and advocacy conversations. Their lived experience has added depth and legitimacy to our engagement with funders, partners, and policymakers, grounding strategy in real youth perspectives rather than assumptions.
Beyond organisational impact, the Board has been a leadership development space in its own right. Members have built confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of how decisions are made within education and social impact organisations.
As one Board member put it:
“This isn’t adults asking our opinion and moving on. We actually see our ideas being used. It makes you feel valued and responsible.”
As we look ahead, the Youth Advisory Board will remain central to Ultra Education’s approach. Meaningful youth influence is not an add-on—it is a core part of how we design, deliver, and evaluate impact.