Banbridge teen one of just 35 from across the UK chosen to advocate for young people as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Youth Ambassador
· Jake McCourt joined a debate in the European Parliament through his DofE Residential
· Jake, 17, wants to encourage other young people to get involved in politics
A young man from Banbridge wants to amplify young people’s voices after being selected as a UK Youth Ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
Jake McCourt (17) joins a cohort of just 35 DofE Award holders aged 16-24 from all over the UK, who will advocate for young people by sharing their expertise on key issues impacting them.
Together, they will make young people’s voices heard by speaking at events, meeting key decision-makers in Parliament and beyond, and feeding into decisions to shape the direction of the DofE charity’s work.
For his Gold Residential section, Jake was awarded a place on a programme funded by Rotary Ireland, and visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
Already keenly interested in politics, Jake was able to meet political representatives, the vice president of the Youth Parliament, and took part in a debate about the environment and sustainability.
Jake said: “The experience was such a great way to build my confidence in public speaking and has really fed my interest in politics and government.
“As a Youth Ambassador, I’m excited to increase the platform for young people’s voices and encourage them to get involved in politics – young peoples’ views can and should be heard.”
Jake also represented the DofE at the Conservative Party Conference in October, where he addressed various shadow Ministers and Conservative MPs.
He called on politicians to give greater importance to young voices, asking them about their plans for building trust with young people.
“Young people are just as eager as older people to get involved in politics – just because we’re young doesn’t mean that we don’t have a lot to say.
“I believe politicians can learn a lot from young people when it comes to making legislation around things that will affect them.”
Head boy at New-Bridge Integrated college, Jake also leads the anti-bullying Ambassador team, promoting a safer school environment and chose to work with a mental health charity for his Silver Volunteering section.
“I did charity collections in town helping to bring awareness about mental health – chatting to the public really improved my confidence.
“Being able to approach people made it easier to help other students at school, and I think I’ve been able to make a difference to some who are struggling. I always had older students support me when I was younger, so it was good to give back.”
Jake took part in a Young Enterprise programme at school for his Skill section – his group’s project involved creating handmade bracelets – and he was selected to represent the programme at an event at The Archbishop’s Palace, Armagh, where he met with the Northern Ireland Special Envoy, Joseph Patrick Kennedy III
For his Volunteering, Jake has been working as a classroom assistant, and he’s discovered a potential career path in primary education.
Jake added: “I’ve been supporting drama classes at Sinead Lunny Speech and Drama in Banbridge, which has been so much fun.
“I’ve built a good rapport with the students, and watching them progress from being really shy to getting up on stage and getting distinctions in drama exams has made feel so proud!”
‘Young people should be heard’.
Funded by The Gosling Foundation, the Youth Ambassador programme puts young people front and centre as future leaders, involving them in shaping the DofE’s work to benefit other young people.
DofE Youth Ambassadors have met Ministers and MPs, spoken at high-profile events such as party conferences and DofE Gold Award celebrations in Buckingham Palace Gardens, represented the DofE at international forums and played a pivotal role feeding into key decisions across the charity.
Ashley Williams, UK Youth Engagement Manager at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Jake is one of many young people who have achieved incredible things through their DofE.
“As a charity, we’re determined to put young people at the heart of everything we do and to give them as many opportunities as we can to make a positive impact on the issues they care about – I am excited to see the positive impact our new cohort of Youth Ambassadors make this year.
“It’s not an easy time to be a young person, with the ongoing after-effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis to contend with.
“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that all young people can access opportunities like the DofE, which let them have fun, grow their resilience and self-belief, and develop vital skills they can’t always get in the classroom.”
To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose activities in four sections: improving a Physical and Skills activity, Volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding Expedition.
Along the way they have fun, grow in resilience and self-belief, discover new talents and passions, and learn practical skills to help them in future – while working towards a highly respected Award.
