Announcing Our New UBS Funded Programme: Empowering Disadvantaged Young People to Find Their Voice

We’re thrilled to share the launch of our new UBS-supported programme, designed to bring the targeted Big Debate Club training sessions to 100 schools in the most disadvantaged areas across the UK. By partnering with schools and communities who need it the most, we’re making sure that students who need that extra support to speak up and use their voice are the ones who receive it. 

Over the course of 2025, we’ll work with around 600 young people to boost their confidence, speaking skills and confidence. Working in small groups, this develops our partnership work with Hackney schools to bring impact to schools across the country. 

With our first cohort of schools starting this month, we can’t wait to help more young people to speak up. 

Partnering with UBS has been such a game-changer for our charity, especially as we emerged from the pandemic. Few organisations have helped us build our impact to such an extent, and we’re immensely grateful for their support.

If you’re a school or teacher who wants to find out more—and explore how this programme could benefit your pupils—please get in touch with Becky Gittins at becky@smartschoolcouncils.org.uk. We’d love to hear from you!