The Achievers Network
The Jack Petchey Foundation is focused on making sure young people’s voices, decisions and opinions are at the centre of everything we do.
We recognise the achievements of circa 12,000 young people a year. All of whom have shown potential as leaders and influencers in their community.
In 2011, we launched our Achievers Network project, a 12 month personal development programme for 30 young people aged 14 – 19 who are Achievement Award Winners, Speak Out Finalists and Step Into Dance Finalists.
To date, over 240 young people have graduated from the Achievers Network Programme, with 100% of participants telling us that the programme has increased their self-esteem and confidence, as well as providing them with unique and amazing opportunities.
Programme Outline
This programme is by invitation only. Participants are invited to apply to the Achievers Network and are required to attend a selection day to meet the JPF staff team and other potential participants.
The programme begins with a weekend residential, where young people build and develop friendships with their peers and undertake team building exercises. There are then five training days over the course of the year which focus on developing skills in areas including self-esteem, communication techniques, effective leadership, stress management, effective presentation skills and public speaking, influencing skills and revision techniques.
Each young person on the programme is paired with a skilled mentor, who provides support to the young person for the duration of the programme.
The young people on the Achievers Network continue to have a connection to JPF. They are central to our decision-making on future programmes, contribute to our campaigns, participate in interview panels, assist with day-to-day work and host VIP guests at our events.
They also have the opportunity to apply to become a member of our Youth Consultation Panel.
Achievers Network members make a significant contribution to the communities around them by volunteering for causes they feel passionate about – every year, young people on the Achievers Network complete roughly 3,000 hours of volunteering between them!
The Achievers Network Programme finishes with a grand graduation ceremony, where members are awarded their graduation certificates in front of their families and VIPs.
Interested in joining the Achievers Network programme?
Apply to join the Achievers Network
If you are an Achievement Award Winner, Speak Out Regional Finalist, Participant of Step Into Dance, Community Award Winner please speak to your scheme coordinator at your school or youth organisation, so that they can refer you onto the programme.
If you are a scheme coordinator within a school or youth organisation and have a young person who is interested in joining, or you would like to recommend someone please make contact with your JPF Grants Officer or contact our head office today.
The next cohort will begin in September 2021.