Youth-Led Campaigns That Lead the Way

Voyage Voices was launched to give young people the platform to set the agenda. In February 2025, over 40 young people expressed interest and 15 committed to weekly workshops supported by campaigners from diverse sectors. Rather than directing them, we provided tools and mentorship, allowing authentic leadership and creativity to flourish. This resulted not only in amazing campaigns, but also in more confident young people equipped with skills to deliver systemic change.

The strength of the campaigns submitted was so impressive that we decided to name four joint winners.

Alyssia - A powerful film on Grenfell Tower, calling for urgent action on social housing safety.

Adnan - A campaign focused on preventing youth violence by addressing its root causes and advocating for holistic, community-based solutions.

Ekponwen - A compelling critique of fast fashion, urging young people to embrace sustainability and lead generational change.

Edem - An inspiring call to protect our digital future, promoting digital literacy, mental health, and positive online citizenship.

These young leaders were awarded access to Voyage’s paid work experience, invitations to policy events, and exclusive opportunities to build networks and skills for their future. Their pathways to further education are also secure. We believe this has inspired a deeper commitment to social change as they mature as young adults.

From Campaigns to Systemic Change

The impact of these campaigns goes beyond recognition. We are now using the winning projects as the foundation for a broader campaign to highlight the value of youth contributions as leaders and preventative youth work. Their work is directly shaping our new Voyage graduate programmes launching this September, focused on developing system change leaders young people equipped to influence and transform the very systems that affect their lives.

The success of Voyage Voices is a testament to the power of authentic youth leadership. When young people are given the autonomy, support, and respect to lead, their ideas drive real, lasting change. As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring that the voices of young people remain central not just to our programmes, but to the wider conversation about system change and leadership in our society.

Embedding Voices, Expanding Horizons

Voyage believes our approach is one of the most effective ways to give young people real exposure to the world of work. By generating meaningful experiences tailored placements, consultancy projects, and campaigns that matter our young people are able to enhance their CVs, personal statements, and overall confidence, positioning themselves as stronger candidates for both employers and higher education opportunities.

The impact is already clear, our youth board, inspired by these outcomes, have unanimously agreed that Voyage Voices will be sustained as a key strand of our autumn 2025 programme. We will be dividing young people into three ambassadorial teams

- Policing and Community Safety

- Heritage

- Environment

Each team will lead flagship projects: from submitting campaign reports to parliament, retelling stories of slave owners in partnership with the Museum of the Home, and digitising and accessioning both of our Windrush books, to launching a new environmental survey exploring how young people can meet the sector's growing capacity and climate crisis demands.

Local to global

Voyage Voices will conclude in spring 2026 with an ambitious international developmental programme in Ghana West Africa in 2026. Twenty young people will travel to Accra Ghana to learn directly about climate impacts, visit key museums, explore the story of contested heritage and the return of cultural artefacts, experience life in an eco-village, and connect with Ghana’s innovative youth sector.

These steps assert our commitment: real-world experience, powerful networks, and authentic leadership by and for young people remain at the heart of Voyage’s vision.

We invite partners, funders, and sector colleagues to join us in sustaining and amplifying the voices that will shape tomorrow’s communities, workplaces, and society. 

Support the Voyage Youth Mission

We hope that the stories, achievements, and impact featured in this report have inspired you. Voyage Youth is committed to transforming the lives of young people in London, but we cannot do it alone. Your support makes the difference.

If you are moved by the progress and journeys you’ve read about, please consider making a donation—every contribution, no matter the size, goes directly towards empowering more young people through our programmes.

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