The Waltham Forest Youth Ambassadors are a selection of young people from schools and colleges within the Borough who are responsible for making sure the younger voices of the local community are heard.
The Youth Ambassadors get involved in a whole range of activities and aim to empower the Borough’s young people to have an input into developments of the London 2012 and Paralympic Games. Here’s a taster of what they do:
Meeting influential people
The ambassadors have met the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, The chair of London 2012 Lord Sebastian Coe, athletes such as Paralympians Ade Adepitan and Tanni Grey-Thompson and Olympians Kelly Holmes and Jonathan Edwards. They also have regular meeting with the Leader of the Council and Waltham Forest 2012 Team to talk about current issues and give their opinions.
Special projects
As well as having their say on planning of the Olympic Park site through work shops, The Youth Ambassadors have got involved in films about the 2012 Games, conferences for the organisers of the Games, speaking on international radio and a whole range of other opportunities.
Training
Ambassadors take part in skills training such as presentation skills, working as a team and media training. This helps them in their role of communicating information about the 2012 Games to schools, teachers, other young people and local residents.
Trips and visits
From touring the Olympic Park and visiting the Headquarters of London 2012 in Canary Wharf, to visiting the BBC offices to talk about coverage of the Games, the Ambassadors get to know what goes on behind the scenes of the London 2012 Games and play a part in their development.
How do I become a Youth Ambassador?
We recruit for Ambassadors once a year, half way through the September term through schools. There is only one place available for each secondary school and college so competition is tough.
Ambassadors who complete the year and who are still interested in being involved will stay on the scheme, act as mentors to new ambassadors and take lead in activities and meetings.
If you are interested, watch out for the next recruitment campaign or find out who’s the current ambassador at your school or college by emailing olympics@walthamforest.gov.uk
What our friends say:
George, Youth Ambassador, Tom Hood School
"I would really recommend being a youth ambassador, you feel like local VIP and you get to help decide the future of our area."
Ade Adepitan, Paralympic wheelchair basketball bronze medallist
"These guys are really cool, Waltham Forest is really going to benefit from the Games and from what I’ve seen of the Ambassadors they’ll be helping it happen, and now you can too!"
Contact us
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please contact the 2012 Team:
Waltham Forest 2012 Team
Sycamore House
Waltham
Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
Email olympics@walthamforest.gov.uk
Tel 020 8496
6744
