Shared Leadership. Shared Accountability.
At YOUTHOOD, we believe that redefining youth development means redefining how decisions are made. That’s why our governance structure is intentionally different. We’re proud to operate on a dual-governance model that brings together the strength of professional trusteeship with the insight of lived experience, through our Board of Trustees and Youth Fellows Programme. Together, these two boards form the foundation of our leadership, sharing oversight, challenge, and ambition as we grow.
Board of Trustees: Recruitment Information
YOUTHOOD is currently welcoming expressions of interest from individuals who may be interested in joining our Board of Trustees.
Trustees play a vital role in providing strategic oversight, safeguarding organisational integrity, and ensuring YOUTHOOD remains financially, legally, and ethically sound as it grows.
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We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:
youth development, youth work, or education
social care, safeguarding, or public services
public policy, regulation, or governance
finance, audit, or legal compliance
organisational leadership, systems design, or strategy
research, evaluation, or evidence-led practice
We welcome Trustees from a range of professional backgrounds and lived experiences. Prior trustee experience is welcome but not essential. What matters most is alignment with YOUTHOOD’s mission, values, and commitment to ethical governance.
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We are open to:
experienced Trustees seeking to contribute to a growing organisation, and
individuals stepping into their first trustee role, but hold significant sector expereince
Trustees must be able to commit time to board meetings, preparation, and occasional organisational engagement. Trustees must be able to commit to joint sessions with Youth Fellows at east once every three months.
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As part of YOUTHOOD’s dual-governance model, trustee recruitment includes youth involvement alongside professional oversight.
Shortlisted candidates will take part in:
a conversation with a select panel of Youth Fellows, focused on values, accountability, and youth-centred leadership
a conversation with a select panel of Directors, focused on governance, experience, and organisational responsibility
This structure ensures Trustees are accountable not only to regulatory requirements, but also to the young people whose lives and experiences YOUTHOOD exists to support.
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If you are interested in joining YOUTHOOD’s Board of Trustees, please email:
contact@youthood.org.uk
with:
a short CV
a brief personal statement outlining your interest, relevant experience, and why you would like to contribute to YOUTHOOD
We review expressions of interest on a rolling basis.
Ready to To Redefine Youth Development?
Youth Fellowship Programme: Recruitment Information
The YOUTHOOD Youth Fellowship Programme embeds young people’s lived experience directly into how YOUTHOOD thinks, designs, and delivers its work.
Youth Fellows contribute insight, reflection, and creativity into youth development delivery, learning, and governance — while being supported to grow skills, confidence, and understanding over time.
The Fellowship is structured across two age-appropriate pathways:
Foundations Pathway (15–17)
Progressions Pathway (18–25)
Places on the programme are limited to ensure every Youth Fellow is properly supported.
Become A Youth Fellow
Not Sure Where You Fit?
If you’re interested in YOUTHOOD’s work but unsure which role is right for you at this stage, we encourage you to consider becoming a Mission Groundwork Contributor.
Mission Groundwork is YOUTHOOD’s wider contributor community. It offers a way to engage with our thinking, delivery, and learning around redefining youth development — without the commitment or responsibility of a formal governance or staff role.
Becoming a Mission Groundwork Contributor allows you to:
get a feel for how YOUTHOOD works in practice
engage with ideas, insight, and learning linked to youth development
contribute skills, perspective, or lived experience in focused ways
build familiarity with our values, culture, and direction over time
Many people choose to remain as valued contributors within Mission Groundwork. Others use it as a stepping stone before applying for governance or staff roles when opportunities open, including Trustee positions, the Youth Fellowship Programme, or staff roles.
There is no expectation to progress beyond Mission Groundwork. It exists as a meaningful way to be involved in its own right, while keeping pathways open for those who may wish to deepen their involvement later.
You can find out more about Mission Groundwork on our website, or contact us at contact@youthood.org.uk if you’re unsure where to start.
