Introducing the 2024-2026 Youth Board!

The Youth Board is made up of former Saturday Club members who are passionate about using their voices to shape the future of the National Saturday Club. Having spent their Saturday mornings exploring their creativity and developing their skill set, they are now bringing fresh and innovative ideas to the Youth Board.

Driven by a passion for the programme, Youth Board members amplify the perspectives of young people. Through a mix of in-person and online meetings, they come together to share ideas, participate in dynamic workshops and drive impactful action.

“I have always loved being creative, finding joy in art from an early age and using it as a positive outlet, especially during the isolation of lockdown when my GCSEs were cancelled. My focus on art developed during A-levels and a foundation course, where I became fascinated by urban architecture, construction sites and how we interact with our changing environments, particularly the overlooked details in everyday surroundings. Now studying Fine Art at Newcastle University, I am hoping to get myself more involved in community arts projects and organisations around the city. I am especially keen to talk to the people in my local area, a small council estate called Shieldfield, about how arts projects have supported their community.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“I am passionate about seeing other young people experience the Saturday Club, which is why I am keen to be a part of the Youth Board. I am especially interested in talking about the opportunities available to young people in and around my area of Hull. I think many northern cities like Hull are overlooked for their creative and cultural value, but hopefully the success of Hull City of Culture 2017 has helped to change that. I would like to be a part of changing this narrative, as I strongly believe that money does not have power over creative potential, especially that of young people.”

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“Ever since I could hold things in my hand, I’ve been obsessed with books, pencils and cars (referring more towards toy cars naturally, as well as the movies by Disney). A love for books evolved into a love of storytelling in all forms: pencils became my lifeline in my long-term passion for art; toy cars grew into real racing cars in Formula 1; my focus now on airplanes. It’s an odd mix of aesthetics, artistic fiction and machinery/engineering, but it’s a testament to my unwavering and evolving love for things.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“Through the Club, I was given the opportunity to develop my interest in science and engineering, finding that my passion for the subject was growing due to the various activities and subjects we explored. In parallel with this, I was also able to break the restraints of low self-esteem, allowing me to grow closer to the other members. Becoming a member of the Youth Board gives me a platform to encourage others like me to undertake similar journeys to open their worldviews. I believe it would be selfish of me not to share my course-steering experience. One of my goals before I become an adult is to make a positive impact on my peers on a large level and this I regard as my golden opportunity.”

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“I am currently an apprentice at Heathrow Airport and completing a three-year site management course. I am the only female on my course and the first female site manager at my placement. I became a member of the Saturday Club at Kingston University by applying through my school, Grey Court in Ham. Joining the STEM club gave me a newfound confidence. I realised that people saw me for who I was, not based on my appearance or family background. Every week, I was inspired by the opportunities and the diverse individuals I met.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“I am interested in joining the Youth Board to help shape the future of the Club and provide the same opportunity I had to other young people across the UK. I truly believe that the Saturday Club changed my life by giving me the confidence I never had before, and as a result, I am now an apprentice site construction manager at Heathrow Airport. I would like to help empower other young disadvantaged females, just as the Saturday Club empowered me back in 2016.”

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“I am an artist, a poet sometimes, and a person who happens to have anxiety and some other undiagnosed stuff in my messy brain. I live in a very rural area, and before the Saturday Club I had very little access to the art world. I would love to merge my love of medical sciences, mental health and the arts to become an art therapist or support worker for young people.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“Although increasing access to art and helping young people curate their interests is important to me, what I am really passionate about is how we can use the Saturday Club to create safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for young people all over the country. No matter one’s race, sexuality, gender identity, religious beliefs, or family situation, all teenagers deserve a space where they are cared for and believed in.”

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“I am an undergraduate student from Nottingham currently pursuing a Product Design and Technology BSc (Hons) degree  at Loughborough University. Aside from my studies, I have a keen interest in various activities such as painting, dancing, engaging in fitness activities and volunteering for charity events. I have bilateral hearing loss and use cochlear implant technology to aid my hearing. My communication style involves lipreading, listening, speaking and British Sign Language. In 2024, I recently won a highly commendable national award for my design innovation, EarBoost+, which aims to improve cochlear implant users’ lives.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“I aim to advocate for more community engagement projects where Club members can collaborate on initiatives that positively impact society. Joining the Youth Board would allow me to give back to this incredible community, ensuring it continues to inspire and nurture young artists and designers as it did for me. ” 

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“My interests are travel, genealogy, geography, experiencing food from around the world, meeting new people and cooking! I am proud of my Lebanese identity and was born and raised in Dubai, before moving to the UK, so I was exposed to people from different ethnicities, cultures and walks of life. My experience of having ADHD has made me stronger. I have to work harder than others, be resilient, persevere, fight for my rights and stand strong against bullying. I am now more tolerant to people’s hidden struggles as I know everyone is fighting their own battles.”

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“I’m 15, I’m home educated, and I live in Sedgley Park in Manchester. I have autism, dyslexia and ADHD, which usually makes it harder for me to deal with things, but I try my best. I like playing video games, hanging out with my friends and drawing. What I liked about the Saturday Club was learning new things and I making new friends.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“One of the reasons I applied for the Youth Board was to help people have access to things such as art supplies, that they might not have access to normally. Another reason I wanted to join the Youth Board is because I like the idea of my opinions being shared. Being able to share my opinions and people actually taking them on board.”

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“I’m a writer, producer and endorsed drum artist with A&F drum co, Sabian cymbals and Meinl Percussion. Some of my highlights have been featuring in Robinson Fruit Shoot campaigns, being an ambassador for BBC Teach’s ‘Bring the Noise’ music education campaign, being a featured editor for Cocoa magazine, and being a panellist at the UK Drum Show.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“Last year, I attended the Writing&Talking Saturday Club to take my speaking and writing skills to the next level. It’s a place to share ideas, meet new people and learn different approaches and perspectives. I had fun experiences going on field trips, writing my short story and learning about creative collaboration. I’ve joined the Youth Board to positively impact the present and future of the National Saturday Club and inspire young people by giving them the tools they need to discover the path to their passions.”

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“My interests vary from the sciences, particularly biology, to the arts, such as fine art, due to my passion in learning new skills. In my future, I wish to continue being able to learn more about the world from a unique lens and sharing this knowledge. My desire is to work in the legal system, advocating against mistreatment, inspired by my own experiences, and thus wishing for a fairer society in which a person does not fear expressing themselves. I hope to not only develop deeper knowledge in various aspects of society, but also use my understanding to better the lives of many mistreated people in a practical way, while, as an immigrant, being a worthy representative of an underrepresented society myself.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“My involvement in the Saturday Club made me realise the impact young people can have in important matters. By using our creativity and growing our potential, young people can take steps to better understand the world and, in turn, inspire a hopeful generation of people committed to bettering society. For these reasons, I wish to be involved in the youth board, to contribute ideas that can encourage more young people to participate and gain meaningful lessons that stay with them in the long term.”

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“I am starting my A-Levels this year and plan to study art and design, English literature and philosophy. I love the interconnectedness of these subjects and they really support and reflect my interests in art, music and film. I am currently undertaking a project to make a film poster for the film ‘Mandy’. I also play the saxophone (alto and tenor) and am working towards my Jazz Grade 7. My current favourite artists are David Bowie and Bryan Ferry (both of whom went to art school!).”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“I had a really great time at the Saturday Club at ARU Cambridge. I am quite a self-conscious person at times, but the Club was a safe place for me to be myself and experience new opportunities. I only came across the Saturday Club after my art teacher mentioned it in an after school session. I would like to promote the Club more widely as many of my peers had never heard of the programme. It’s amazing that it is fully funded and offers such great opportunities. Being able to try out new skills and use the equipment was like being in a sweet shop for the first time! During my time on the Youth Board I would like to encourage more out-reach work and continue to learn more about art and art programmes.”

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“I really enjoy being creative. I love crocheting, which allows me to express myself through colourful yarn and different patterns. For the past two years, I have been practicing fencing, which has become one of my favourite activities. Fencing challenges me, both physically and mentally, requiring quick thinking and strategy. Looking ahead, I have big hopes for the future. I want to pursue a career that allows me to be creative, whether in fashion design, art, or another creative field. I believe creativity can make a difference in the world, and I want to be part of a community that values new ideas and artistic expression. My experiences in fencing, crocheting, and upcycling have taught me to follow my passions and embrace my unique talents.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

I am excited to join the Youth Board for several reasons. I care about the National Saturday Club and its mission to inspire and educate young people. By being on the Youth Board, I can help plan activities that are fun, inclusive, and impactful. I am eager to share what I have learned from my time at the Saturday Club. As a woman of colour, I understand how important it is to have role models. If I could make a change in the world, it would be to inspire other girls like me to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. I believe my experiences can help create programmes that other members will enjoy and benefit from. It would be rewarding to see my ideas come to life and make a difference.”

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“My name is Zora and I’m 14-years-old and live in Middlesbrough. I’ve had a passion for art for as long as I can remember. Birthdays often meant new art sets, and I have fond memories of playing around my dad’s paints. My first drawing was a disheveled blob with a sad face. As I grew older, I was taught art in a more rigid way, with teachers telling me that’s not right, draw it again, or that doesn’t fit the way we taught you, but this fuelled my determination to make my mark on the world, and I’m just getting started. My experience with the Saturday Club was positive. It was a safe community of like-minded individuals where I felt no fear of judgement. I joined without knowing anyone but left with lifelong memories and countless cherished friendships.”

Why did you want to join the Youth Board?

“I have numerous ideas and visions for the Youth Board. First and foremost, I want to encourage people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to engage with art and creativity. It should be accessible to everyone and I believe we can do more to make that a reality. One of my main goals is to create workshops for schools that focus on creativity. The way art is currently taught in the curriculum is inadequate, yet creativity is a critical skill for functioning in our society.”

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