All young people can volunteer for Youth Employment UK (YEUK). They become Youth Ambassadors and give their time to represent young people who may be employed or Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET). Ambassadors have the opportunity to have their voices heard and are consulted on all youth employment issues
The Youth Ambassadors are involved with a range of activities that supports YEUK’s work but also help them to develop their skills and enhance their employability. Along with the experiences they are recognised by a credit system and Ambassadors with the most credits are celebrated at our Annual Awards.
Jenny Mullinder
Age: 23
Location: London
Date joined YEUK: October 2014
Role within YEUK: National Youth Ambassador;
Inspirational Role within YEUK: Peer Mentor
First point of contact with YEUK: Emailed requesting to join YEUK Ambassador Team
Referred Organisation: Self-referral via email to the info account
“Being a part of YEUK has really allowed me to develop my skills and confidence in terms of speaking out about issues that are affecting my generation, but also on a personal and professional level. It is with the support, advice, and guidance of the staff and other ambassadors, as well as the events I have been part of with YEUK that I’ve felt able to progress into the world of work and start my journey in my dream career. Being able to stand up and use my personal experiences, as well as those of other young people, in a way which is directly influencing decision makers is amazing. I think it’s so vital for young people to be supported and encouraged on their journey into work, and YEUK are at the forefront of making sure that happens with the youth voice leading the charge. I really want to thank LJ and Sylvia for believing in me and encouraging me to do things that I didn’t think I could; both within the group and in my life in general.”
Jenny
Jenny joined YEUK when she realised that during her time at university she hadn’t networked and gained the world of work skills needed to enter the career she desired when she graduated. She contacted YEUK because she was beginning to suffer a period of desperation during unemployment. Despite her degree, and after many rejections for eligible positions, her prospects became limited to part time work. What appealed to Jenny about becoming a YEUK Youth Ambassador was the ability to upskill and develop through networking and support. Although Jenny had been involved in various volunteer organisations in the past, she realised she needed to gain the right experience for the sector that interested her. The YEUK Youth Ambassador programme offered her the opportunity to get involved in promoting the voices of young people.
During Jenny’s time with YEUK
Since becoming a Youth Ambassador, Jenny has attended many YEUK and external events sharing with the YEUK network the frustrations of a young graduate with a range of work based experience trying to gain employment. Through networking, Jenny has showcased her resilience and built up her confidence and honed her skills. She has enabled young people to be recognised as being highly employable and to have the skills needed to represent an organisation.
A Brilliant Advocate
Jenny’s frustrations of not being able to gain full time employment in the career of her choice, yet rightfully, believing that she was employable gave her the confidence to stand up for herself. In doing so she represents all young people. Jenny has since become employed in the sector and gained the job role she has been passionate about joining for some time. Through the experiences she undertook as volunteer and as a Youth Ambassador her confidence and self-belief has progressed. She is a brilliant advocate for young people who draw on personal resilience, seek support and ask for help. She has enabled YEUK to truly understand the barriers of young people who have limited foundations and support. This has helped shape the mentoring and support that YEUK provides to young people to enable them to progress.
