Youth Engagement Playbook

We connect opportunities to what young people care about.

We offer fair financial recognition (stipends, gift cards, or paid roles) for young people's time and expertise.

We provide real skill development through workshops, training, or hands-on projects.

We offer mentorship and connections that help young people build networks beyond our organisation.

We give formal recognition (certificates, references, or endorsements) that supports young people's future opportunities.

We invite young people to co-design programs, and make sure their input has real influence.

We recognise young people's contributions publicly in ways that feel genuine, not tokenistic.

We keep our application to what is essential (no CVs, long forms, or unstated expectations)

We share the full process upfront, including every stage, the timeline, and how we make our decision.

We use plain, inclusive, and accessible language in all recruitment materials.

We offer multiple ways to apply and interview (written, video, voice note, in-person, group)

We give young people a way to experience the role before committing, through shadowing, tasters, tours, or previews.

We involve young people meaningfully in our selection process and recruit through personal networks as well as open channels.

We give constructive feedback to every applicant and regularly update our processes.

We give every young person clear written guidance for their first month.

We help young people know what to expect before day one, whether through training, a trial task, or a conversation.

We pace early responsibility to each young person's experience.

We tailor support to each young person's starting point, through a simple plan built with them.

We make sure every young person knows who to go to, whether that's a formal buddy or the person they work beside most.

We build small recurring moments of belonging, such as shout-outs, shared meals, or celebrating wins.

We hold regular check-ins and act on what young people tell us, improving based on their feedback.

We build a culture where young people can ask questions and engage in the way that works for them.

We make it safe to pause or step back, without explanation or penalty.

We give every young person something they genuinely own.

We invite young people to regularly provide feedback on how we can improve process and routines

We hand young people real things to deliver, from a meeting segment to a whole event.

We give young people opportunities to grow through real work, stretching into new tasks and skills with support behind them.

We create space for young people to learn from those around them, peers and senior people alike.

We outline the next steps with every young person, and what it takes to reach it.

We revisit each young person's goals regularly, and reshape their responsibilities to match.

We invest in development beyond our walls, from external opportunities to introductions in our network.

We involve experienced young people in decision-making and leadership.

We ensure staying keeps rewarding young people, with recognition, responsibility, or pay that grows over time.

We build a culture worth staying in.

We treat good transitions as success, keeping alumni connected.