The Classroom to Parliament: Lawson’s Public Speaking Journey

We are always excited to discover inspiring stories involving young individuals!

This blog post is from Lawson, who took part in the Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge and recently went to a Parliamentary Roundtable.

About Me

My name is Lawson. I am 17 years old and currently a Year 12 student. I am studying Maths, Physics, Biology and Religious Education for my A Levels.

My involvement with the Jack Petchey Foundation began in 2024, when I took part as a Year 10 student in Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge with The Speakers Trust. In 2026, I am now an ambassador for the Speakers Trust and also took part in a Roundtable Discussion at the House of Commons.

A young person is speaking between two microphones, looking out strongly. There is a banner behind him with Jack Petchey Foundation, Jack Petchey's Speak Out Challenge and Speakers Trust logos.

My Experience of Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge

Before beginning the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge, I was far from confident about speaking on stage. In fact, I felt uneasy even talking in front of my class, my year group, or the entire school. However, after attending the workshops, I found myself not only able to speak but actually doing so in front of larger audiences than I had ever imagined. A grand room, with ornate wall paper and wooden panelling. There are young people sat at a long table earing food.

For my speech, titled “My Parents are Rubbish,” I wanted to express my gratitude to my Nanna Diane and grandparents in general for playing an important role in my life. I eventually represented my school at the East Essex Regional Final and was fortunate enough to be selected as one of fifteen competitors for the Grand Final at the Cambridge Theatre in London. Although I did not win, the whole experience was incredibly inspiring and gave me the chance to make great friends along the way.

As a Grand Finalist, I was given the opportunity to visit Cambridge University, where I debated with students, and visited the Houses of Parliament, where I met with MPs. Both trips were excellent experiences and provided significant motivation for me.

The following year, I was invited to assist with presenting at the 2025 final. My role included interviewing contestants and judges and helping to promote the event through social media channels. In 2026, I became a Speakers Trust Alumni Ambassador and joined a committee of young people dedicated to shaping how the programme is delivered for future students.

My Experience at the Roundtable in Parliament

In January 2026, I had the privilege of being selected to join a Youth Committee representing the Jack Petchey Foundation at a Roundtable Discussion on youth affairs with MPs in the House of Commons.

A grand room, with ornate green wall paper, big portraits and wooden panelling. There is a Jack Petchey Foundation banner in the background that repeats the word 'inspire'. A young person is stood up speaking whilst those sat down look at him. The purpose of the meeting was to present the findings of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s “Are you Listening?” Youth Survey Report 2026 and ask questions to a panel of MPs including Jas Athwal MP and Wes Streeting MP. The report represented the views of over 4,300 young people on how and where they felt their voices and opinions could best be heard and when they were not, for example in educational establishments, politics, social media, and what changes they wanted to make to improve accessibility to accurate political information and find the best channels to express their views.

I personally presented a section two of the report, “The Chance to be Heard”. This expressed concern over the perceived stereotyping of young people not being politically active and the lack of support and opportunities available to encourage more young people to speak in the right forums, that ensure their voices are heard and represented, such as in government. It also highlighted that young people worried about how truthful information produced via media channels is and that those with the most to say are often the ones not in a position to do so, as they are not sufficiently connected.

At Ministers’ Questions the following week, Jas Athwal MP presented the findings of the Survey and the details of the meeting to the Education Secretary, so there was an immediate response to the concerns raised, which was important. This was yet another valuable chance for me to develop my public speaking skills and to contribute to what I hope will be a defining moment in amplifying young people’s voices in Government.

A grand room, with ornate green wall paper, big portraits and wooden panelling. There are lots of people in rows with Jack Petchey Foundation banners in the background that say 'inspire' and 'standing up for youth voice'.

My Takeaways

A big stage with red letters that say '#JP SPEAK OUT' around the back of the stage. There is blue lighting and a young person in between two microphones speaking. Reflecting on my journey, I can say that I was not a natural public speaker at the outset. It is likely that I would never have considered pursuing this path without the tremendous encouragement, support and training provided by The Speakers Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation. I would strongly recommend that every pupil get involved, as participating has helped me focus my determination to be heard and to become the best version of myself in every respect.