FREE FRIDAY SOCIALS FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND 3 DAYS OR MORE • FREE BUS TRAVEL FOR TEENS
TEENAGE VOICES OF SUMMER 2026
Helping young people find their voice, build confidence and shape the future of Derby.
A two-week summer programme helping young people in Derby and Derbyshire build confidence, develop their voice and explore the issues shaping their future through debate, discussion, film, and real-world challenges.
3rd - 7th August 2026 | 10th - 14th August 2026
QUAD Derby
£20 per day including lunch
Limited spaces available
WHY TEENAGE VOICES?
Young people are growing up in a world shaped by social media, constant notifications and endless streams of information. Yet many feel unheard when it comes to the decisions and conversations that affect their future.
Teenage Voices has been designed to help participants in Derby and Derbyshire build confidence, communication skills and critical thinking through debate, discussion, public speaking and real-world challenges.
Through workshops, panel discussions and collaborative activities, participants will learn how to express their ideas, explore different perspectives and make their voices heard.
What They'll Learn
Debate
Skills
Confidence Building
Critical
Thinking
Teamwork & Collaboration
Civic Awareness
Democracy & Decision Making
Public
Speaking
Delivered by Connection Economy Experts
Joe Woof
Co-lead of The Addiction Economy Project
Devon Daley
Ex BBC Presenter Community and Media Producer
Liz Richardson
Lauren Thompson
Katie Astle
Published Playwright & LAMDA Teacher
Former Civil Servant & Place Strategist
Entrepreneur, Brand & Web Designer
ONLY 15 SPACES AVAILABLE FOR WEEK ONE WITH LADMA QUALITY COURSE
WHAT TO EXPECT
Week One: The Art of Discourse
Age 14+ | 15 participants
Limited to 15 participants to ensure a high-quality learning experience.
Week One is a five-day journey into confidence, communication and constructive debate, designed to help young people develop the skills needed to participate thoughtfully in modern society.
Through interactive workshops, discussions and practical exercises, participants will learn how to communicate ideas clearly, analyse information critically, listen to different perspectives and contribute confidently to important conversations.
Alongside building public speaking and debate skills, participants will develop self-confidence, form new connections and explore the role that communication plays in leadership, democracy and everyday life.
This week has been intentionally designed for the same group of participants to attend across all five days, allowing relationships, confidence and skills to develop throughout the programme.
Participants who wish to continue their learning beyond the programme may also have the opportunity to explore a pathway towards LAMDA qualifications in public speaking and performance.
Themes include:
• Public Speaking & Debate
• Confidence Building
• Critical Thinking
• Evidential Analysis
• Constructive Discussion
• Leadership & Communication
• Final Showcase & Reflection
Week Two builds on the confidence, communication and critical thinking skills developed during Week One, which is why participants are strongly encouraged to attend both weeks.
Week Two: Digital Democracy & Future Voices
Age 14+ | 30 participants
Week Two explores leadership, democracy, representation and the challenges facing young people today through films, discussions, simulations and collaborative activities.
Participants will investigate how decisions are made, whose voices are heard, and what meaningful participation in society looks like.
Throughout the week, they will contribute ideas that will form part of Derby's Connection Economy Wall — a public digital artwork designed to spark lasting conversation across the city.
Day 1: Power & Representation
Film screening, discussion and networking activities exploring how power works, how decisions are made, and whether young people feel heard in society today.
Day 2: Youth Voice & Political Change
A listening and discussion session exploring youth representation, recent political change and whether the concerns of young people are genuinely reflected in decision-making.
Day 3: What Does It Mean To Be Heard?
A live panel event featuring youth leaders, democracy advocates and guest speakers exploring influence, representation and how young people can help shape the future.
Day 4: A Day In Power
An immersive simulation where participants respond to a real-world crisis, make difficult decisions and experience the pressures faced by leaders and decision-makers.
Day 5: Designing Derby's Connection Economy Wall
Working together, participants will create a public digital artwork that captures the voices, hopes and recommendations of Derby's young people. The final piece will be publicly displayed, shared with local politicians and community leaders, and invite the wider city to engage with the ideas, hopes and recommendations of Derby's young people.
Whilst Week Two can be booked on a day-by-day basis, participants are strongly encouraged to attend the full week to gain the greatest benefit from the programme and contribute fully to the creation of Derby's Connection Economy Wall.
The future of Derby should include young voices | A city grows stronger when every voice has a place in the conversation
LEAVE YOUR
MARK ON
DERBY
Throughout Week Two, participants will work together to create Derby's Connection Economy Wall - a public digital artwork that captures the voices, ideas and aspirations of young people across our city and invites the wider community to engage with them.
This will be presented to:
-
Derby residents
-
Local politicians & decision-makers
-
Educators & youth organisations
-
Community leaders
What needs to change in Derby?
Help highlight the issues that matter most
How can we build a more connected city?
Share your ideas for a stronger Connection Economy
What should educators be listening to?
Tell us what support, opportunities and changes you need
What makes you feel heard?
Help us design a city where young people are heard and valued
Your Voice Will Help Shape Derby's Future
01
SHARE
02
CREATE
Share your ideas, experiences and what matters most to you
Work together to turn your ideas into a powerful digital artwork
03
DISPLAY
The Connection Economy Wall will be publicly shared through QUAD and made available for Derby's community, educators and decision-makers to engage with
04
INSPIRE
Spark conversations, influence change and help shape Derby's future
Why Your Participation Matters
Teenage Voices of Summer 2026 is being delivered as an initial pilot programme.
This first programme is an opportunity to demonstrate the impact that confidence building, communication skills and civic engagement can have on young people across Derby and Derbyshire.
By taking part, participants won't just be attending a programme — they'll be helping shape the future of opportunities like this across the region. The ideas, feedback and outcomes from this first cohort will help inform future programmes, partnerships and investment in young people.
A successful pilot will help us expand access, secure future funding and make programmes like Teenage Voices available to more young people in schools and communities across Derbyshire.
Thank you for helping us shape the future of Teenage Voices.
Questions Parents & Participants Often Ask
Who is Teenage Voices for? Teenage Voices is designed for teenagers who are interested in developing confidence, communication skills, critical thinking and leadership skills. No previous experience in debating, public speaking or politics is required.
Will food and drinks be provided? Nutritious refreshments and food options will be available throughout the programme. Further details will be provided after booking.
Do I need to attend all ten days? No, individual days can be booked separately, subject to availability. However, attending multiple days will allow participants to get the most from the programme and build stronger connections with other attendees.
Is the programme supervised? Yes. All sessions will be delivered and supervised by experienced professionals with backgrounds in education, youth engagement, public speaking, media, government and community leadership.
Do participants need any previous experience? Not at all. Whether someone is naturally confident or quite shy, the programme is designed to help young people develop their skills in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Is this a political programme? Teenage Voices is politically neutral. The programme aims to help young people understand how decisions are made, how democracy works and how to engage respectfully with different viewpoints.
Why is learning about democracy and decision-making important? Democracy affects far more than elections. Throughout the programme, participants will explore how decisions are made on issues that shape everyday life, from public spaces and local investment to education, transport and community priorities. By understanding how decisions are made and who influences them, young people can better understand how to engage with and shape the world around them.
Why is the programme worth £20 per day? At approximately £4 per hour, including lunch and free travel, the programme offers exceptional value whilst giving young people the opportunity to learn, connect and make their voices heard.
Be PART OF CITREY
Teenage Voices is just the beginning.
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