The Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Programme aims to make a 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 have 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!
In our fifth year, we are able to provide FREE and highly subsidised public speaking and communication training to Year 10 students across Yorkshire. Thanks to our generous funders, Paydyn and Mare Nostrum, 3,000 students will take part in the academic year 2025/26.
To get your school involved, please fill out this form. Every state school in Yorkshire is eligible, but spaces are limited!
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 programme progresses on to a competition. Schools are supported to run an assembly final to select their regional finalist and submit them towards the digital semi-final. The final 15 young Finalists across Yorkshire are selected to participate in the Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Final at a live event in the summer term. The competition is judged by a diverse mix of a local decision-makers and professionals, and the event is a celebratory evening giving young people a platform to share their voice.
The training and competition has been proven to increase young peoples’ confidence and sense of agency.
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.
Aren Heeley scooped up the top prize and was crowned Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge Champion 2025, after wowing a packed audience with a speech entitled ‘Love is the thing’. Watch Aren’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.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 2026 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 about the Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge 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.”