The Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Programme aims to make a huge difference in the lives of young people and the wider community.
By giving young people a voice, we improve their education and employment prospects, we amplify unheard stories to bring communities together. We also upskill and engage volunteers to become role models for young people.
Almost 50% of students in Yorkshire start our workshop saying they had no competence in speaking up in front of a group of people. This number is higher than in any other part of the country, and our mission is to change this! Thanks to our generous funders 3i, Paydyn and The Keith Howard Foundation, we are able to provide FREE and subsidised public speaking and communication training to up to 3000 Year 10 students across state schools in Yorkshire this academic year.
To get your school involved, please fill out this form.
Every student receives a one-day public speaking workshop with one of our expert communication skills trainers. During the training, students are given the skills and the confidence to develop and deliver a speech on a topic they feel passionate about. 81% of students participating in the workshops reported having learned skills they can apply in the next stage of their education training and employment. The aim of the training and competition is to increase young peoples’ confidence and sense of agency and amplify their voices.
Speakers Trust is invaluable in giving students the confidence to share their ideas and opinions. This will help them not just in school, but in their future academic and professional endeavours.
– One in a Million Free School Teacher Feedback
Last year’s Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Final, held at the Carriageworks, Leeds, saw some of the most inspiring young speakers deliver their speeches in front of a live audience including an esteemed panel of judges.
We are delighted to support Speakers Trust in bringing their Speak Out Challenge to Yorkshire. It’s amazing to see how the young people develop their communications skills during the workshops and build their confidence to speak in public.
– Kathryn van der Kroft, 3i’s Communications Director
Imani Ali scooped up the top prize and was crowned Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Champion 2023 last July, after she wowed a packed audience with her speech on women’s rights. Watch Yorkshire Champion Imani’s winning speech in full here.
FAQs for Schools
Why should my school get involved?
Our expert public speaking trainers will deliver a full-day public speaking workshop to your students, culminating in every student standing up and sharing a short speech on a topic of their choosing.
This workshop has a transformative impact on the confidence, aspirations, skills and empathy of young people, and you can see this impact in detail here or watch this short film to hear from some young people and teachers.
After the workshop, you will have the opportunity to progress on to the Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge competition. We will support you to host an in-school Assembly Final to select your school’s Finalist. The next stage is a digital semi-final, after which the final 15 speakers from Yorkshire will share their speech at a prestigious Speak Out Challenge event in Summer 2024 competing with students across the region. Speeches will be watched by a panel of local VIPs and decision-makers and students will have the opportunity to share their message even further using our social media platforms.
Is there a cost?
How do I book my dates?
For more information on the Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge 2023-24, check out this flyer.
“Our students absolutely loved this workshop and they wanted to really showcase their confidence with members of the academy. Various members and staff also commented on how the workshop was interactive and engaging. I would highly recommend this to secondary schools.”
“Speak Out! gave our students the opportunity to show their strengths, personalities and collaborative skills through engaging group work activities. Students which may have in the past been discouraged from sharing themselves aloud were given the space, support and confidence to do so, and thrived! – My Speak Out workshop was one of the most rewarding days I have spent in my teaching career to date.”
“Speakers Trust is invaluable in giving students the confidence to share their ideas and opinions. This will help them not just in school, but in their future academic and professional endeavours.”