The Young Leaders Network is a platform for young leaders aged 18-26 to be informed, share experiences, build skills and grow as leaders.

The network was launched in 2022 by the Young Leaders Group. This group is made up of young leaders from across the UK who are passionate about championing the views of young leaders and helping to develop and improve the support structure for those starting out in leadership roles within the BB.

The Network continues to be coordinated by the Young Leaders Group, ensuring that the work of the Network remains relevant to the needs of 18–26-year-old leaders as it evolves.

The Young Leaders Network has three main aims. These are:

To inform & support young leaders

• Using social media & termly emails to put relevant information into the hands of young leaders.
• A dedicated Young Leaders Facebook Group to share opportunities, encourage discussion and allow young leaders from across the country a chance to network and share.

To provide opportunities to young leaders

• Build skills appropriate for your role via training, gatherings and leadership opportunities.
• Share experiences and learn from others through gatherings, online forums, informal conversations, profiles and more.
• Leadership opportunities promoted and/or made available through the network, to help you to put your leadership skills into action and learn by doing.
• To Develop as young leaders, helping you to feel confident, empowered and valued as a young leader in The Boys’ Brigade

To amplify the voice of young leaders

• Raising the profile of Young Leaders and their experiences of their role(s), helping others to see the opportunities available to them and the value that young leaders give to the BB.
• Promoting decision making roles available on committees and groups within The Boys’ Brigade, including the under-26 positions on the Brigade executive and regional committees.
• Empowering young leaders to become ‘Comms Champions’ for the organisation and ambassadors for the work of the Brigade.

There are a number of ways for young leaders to get involved and start benefiting from the Network. Please note these opportunities are only available to registered BB leaders aged 18-26.

Elevate – Our New Development Course

This Autumn we will be launching a new development course, called ‘Elevate‘, aimed at supporting young leaders as they transition from a young person to a young leader.

The course has been created in partnership with young leaders, from their experiences of becoming leaders in the BB. The programme is designed to boost the skills, knowledge and confidence of young leaders and will cover a range of topics, including:

• The changing expectations of your new role.
• Developing your leadership skills.
• Building positive relationships with others.
• Negotiating, influencing and finding your role in your Company.
• Practical skills in planning and delivering programmes.

The course will be run virtually across 6 weeks, with each session starting at 7pm and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Elevate is open to any young leader, aged 18-26. Our first ‘Elevate’ course will start on Tuesday 1st October and will run for six weeks, until Tuesday 5th November.

Limited spaces will be available for this, with signups open now, via our online form.

Young Leaders Weekend 2025

We’re pleased to announce that bookings are now open for our Young Leaders Weekend 2025. Now in it’s third year, we’re looking to make our 2025 weekend the best yet!

The weekend will take place from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th April 2025 at The North West Training & Activity Centre, Kirkham, Lancashire.

The aim of the weekend is to bring young leaders together, helping them to build connections, grow in confidence, share experiences, and add your voice into shaping the future of our organisation. Alongside having the opportunity to participate in workshops and discussions, there will also be plenty of time for socialising, getting to know other young leaders, and taking on some great activities.

Arrivals will be from the Friday evening, with the programme of activities continuing until the Sunday lunchtime. The cost of the weekend is £85, with this including your meals and accommodation for the weekend. For more information, and to book your space, please click here.

‘Spotlight’ Programme Opportunity

Have you ever fancied writing your own BB themed programme, which gets used across the UK?

We’re looking for a small group of Young Leaders to help us to write two themed programme cards for the Spring 2025 term.

These cards will be written by young leaders, aimed at being delivered by hundreds of young leaders across the country. This will form part of a special ‘Spotlight’ week later in the session, aimed at shining the spotlight on some of our brilliant young leaders.

If you’d like to find out more about the Programme role and to register your interest in joining this working group of young leaders, then please email us at youngleaders@boys-brigade.org.uk. Please share a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to get involved with creating the programme.

Please register any interest by 27th September. We look forward to hearing from you!

Young Leaders Facebook Group

Want to be the first to hear about opportunities specifically aimed at Young Leaders? Then make sure to join our Facebook Group.

We have a dedicated Facebook group for young leaders, providing you with a space to be informed and better equipped in your roles as leaders in the BB. The group is used to share new opportunities that are available for you, as well as sharing news on what young leaders have been getting up to across the UK.

If you are on Facebook and are not currently signed up, then head to our Young Leaders Facebook Group and click ‘Join’.