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Young Leaders Weekend 2025

Thursday 10th April 2025

Our Young Leaders Weekend took place last weekend, 4th to 6th April 2025, with leaders aged 18-26 from across the UK coming together for a weekend of development, networking and sharing.

Now in its third year, the Young Leaders Weekend is organised by the Young Leaders Group, made up of volunteers within the organisation. This year the weekend was held at the North West District’s Training Centre in Kirkham.

The focus of the weekend was about ‘empowering young leaders through programme’, an area that young leaders have recently been sharing that they want more development and support in. The workshops and activities across the weekend were therefore aimed at building programme skills, trying out new activities, considering the foundations of a good quality programme and sharing best practice and ideas.

As well as taking part in workshops, discussions and debates, the group of young leaders also had some downtime to participate in a few other activities, including archery, Nerf battles and an interactive quiz night.

“A Hope for the Future”

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive, joined part of the weekend, taking part in a ‘Debate it Out’ workshop, tasking young leaders to share their views and discuss some of the challenges for the future. Afterwards, Jonathan shared his reflections of visiting the weekend.

“Encouraging our young leaders is very important to me and comes from my own personal experience. In the Company where I grew up the leaders believed in me and my friends and gave us the opportunity to take the lead and shape our group. It felt empowering and exciting, and is something I have never forgotten.”

“So, it was great to chat to the young leaders over the weekend, to listen to their stories and to hear their ideas and enthusiasm for the possibilities that lie ahead for the organisation. Spending time with our young leaders always inspires me and gives me hope and confidence for the future. There is so much we can learn from young leaders and we must all shout louder about the contribution they make, encourage them to connect with other young leaders through the network, and have the chance to help shape the organisation at every level.”

Young Leaders Network

To find out more about the Young Leaders Network, including future opportunities and events, head to our Young Leaders webpage.

The Young Leaders Weekend will return again in 2026, with dates and the location being announced in the coming months. If you are a young leader, or you have young leaders in your Company who might benefit from attending, then please keep an eye out and consider getting involved in the future.