By Jannat Forazi, Youth Engagement Programme (YEP!) graduate.
Jannat joined cohort 2 of YEP! and graduated in February 2026 – she has now become one of our Youth Associates.
“I thought the YEP! programme would simply be another opportunity to learn a few new things. But it quickly became more than that. It encouraged me to reflect on my own journey, understand how I show up in different spaces and most importantly to grow.
“One of the things that really stayed with me was during the ‘River of Life’ session. Hearing how Jade was able to start this programme made everything feel real and showed me that I could do it to.
“Jade identified an issue that affected not only her but her community. I learned that projects like this do not just appear, they begin with an idea, and that grows, before exploding into the visions that we want for ourselves and others.
“Learning about research and grant making opened my eyes to what happens behind the scenes to make change happen. I begin to understand that passion alone is not enough, ideas need evidence, structure and collaboration to grow into something sustainable.
“The social action and pitching sessions then brought everything together. They challenged us to apply all those skills – reflection, teamwork, research and communication – into something practical. So delivering our pitch at our graduation and celebration event felt like a moment when my learning turned into doing.
“Being a part of YEP! has made me more aware of the value of youth voice, and how important it is to create spaces where young people are not just included but genuinely heard. It has shown me that we are capable of contributing to solutions, not just identifying problems.
“After finishing the programme I’d like to continue building on these skills, especially using my voice more confidently in environments where decisions are being made and continuing to be involved in initiatives that create meaningful impact.
“Overall, YEP! has been more than a programme I attended. It has been an experience that has helped me to grow, think differently and recognise the role I can play moving forward.”
