Youth Leads UK Celebrates Young Leaders at Graduation and Film Premiere
Young leaders from across Bolton came together to celebrate completing Youth Leads UK’s Leadership Programme and the premiere of a new documentary showcasing the power of youth voice and storytelling.
Youth Leads UK, in partnership with Tales to Inspire, delivered a unique youth graduation and film premiere, celebrating 50 young people from across Bolton who shared their inspiring stories of leadership and confidence.
Youth Leads UK has supported young people to learn new skills in confidence, CV writing, and provided access to Industry Insights sessions that would equip them with the knowledge and connections they need to go on to further education, continue their community projects or enter the professional world.
With the Bolton’s Fund Partnership grant, Tales to Inspire collaborated with Youth Leads UK to deliver impactful sessions to more than 70 young people, equipping them with the tools to use their lived experiences to inform the decisions that matter to them in areas like work, education and local politics. The documentary was a culmination of their achievements across the leadership programme and highlighted the impact youth led action has had in Bolton’s community and beyond.
Filmed across Bolton and Manchester, the final film provided a powerful example of why youth-led opportunities are necessary for social action, and encouraged young participants alongside Youth Leads UK alumni to lead honest conversations around what Bolton could be doing to support more young people as they look for opportunities to grow in their local communities. Each young person told their story as they reflected on family life, education and their current positions, as they spoke on topics such as mental health, migration and friendship. Young leaders shared their thoughts on appearing in the documentary, where they touched on what it means to them to feel supported by their community and have their ambitions amplified.
The event welcomed over 100 guests, including young people, funders, and partner organisations who contributed to Youth Leads UK’s mission of championing the leadership potential of young people across Greater Manchester. The event took place in the Bolton Light cinema, and was hosted by recent graduates, Marryum and Georgia. The programming of the event also focused on young graduates’ individual experiences with the Youth Leads UK leadership programme, with a select few giving keynote speeches about what they took away from the 12-weeks and where they hope to be in their futures.
Amro, 19, Youth Leads UK Leadership Programme Graduate, Bolton, said:
“To me, youth leadership means having a big community of young people that can inspire each other and others in the wider community. At Youth Leads, we have that kind of community where we share common goals and interests and it makes you feel like you belong.”
CEO and Founder of Youth Leads UK Saeed Atcha MBE DL, and Founder of Tales to Inspire, Krish Patel proudly discussed the impact that the documentary had for the young people involved and answered questions about how they platformed young people’s ambitions for a more youth-led future for Bolton.
Saeed Atcha MBE DL, CEO and Founder of Youth Leads UK, said:
“For me, youth voice is about equity, representation, and giving young people the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their lives. It starts with being heard, grows into meaningful influence, and ultimately leads to real change. When young people have a seat at the table, our communities and civic institutions are stronger because they’re shaped by the people they’ll impact most.”
Krish Patel, Founder of Tales to Inspire, said:
“If we want our communities to thrive, we need to listen to young people. They are not only our future, they are already making a difference today. When we act on their experiences, ideas and ambitions, we create stronger communities and better opportunities for everyone. Youth voice is about more than being heard. It is about giving young people the power to influence decisions, lead with confidence and create lasting change.”
Youth Leads UK were proud to welcome Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr David Catterall DL, who, addressing the audience, said:
“Bolton has a proud tradition of community spirit, and it is inspiring to see the next generation carrying that forward. These young leaders have shown what can be achieved when young people are given the opportunity, encouragement and confidence to lead. They should all be immensely proud of what they have accomplished.”
The event concluded with graduates receiving their certificates before joining the Youth Leads UK Alumni network, where they will continue to access opportunities, mentoring and support as they take the next steps in their leadership journeys.
Photos from the event can be viewed here.
The graduation and premiere event encouraged young people’s future ambitions and celebrated all the hard work that has led up to this moment as they begin their next chapter.
