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YOUTH LEADERSHIP at empire
Youth Leadership at Empire gives young people real power to shape our work and create change in their communities. It is made up of three connected elements:
- Youth Advisory Board: where young people influence decisions and help guide Empire’s direction.
- Box Leaders: a leadership development programme combining boxing with skills and practice.
- Youth Ambassadors: a role for alumni to champion Empire’s work and represent youth voice locally and nationally.
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD:
Empire’s Youth Advisory Board is the voice of young people at Empire Fighting Chance. Made up of young leaders from the Bristol community who have completed one or more Empire programmes, the Board plays a central role in shaping our work and driving positive change within Empire and beyond.
Led by Youth Voice Coordinators Mariella and Serena, the Youth Advisory Board brings young people together to share their views, influence decisions, and work on projects that reflect what matters most to young people. Through regular meetings and collaboration with staff and partners, members ensure youth voice is heard at every level of what we do.
Board members are passionate about creating a safer, stronger, and more hopeful city. They use their lived experience to support their peers, raise the profile of youth voice across Bristol, and help shape opportunities for young people now and in the future.
“The Youth Advisory Board has been a brilliant opportunity for young people at Empire to take off their boxing gloves and use their voices to make positive change.”
Mariella, Youth Voice Coordinator
Box Leaders: Developing the Next Generation of Changemakers
Our leadership journey begins with Box Leaders, our active spin on a youth leadership programme.
Over 12 weeks, young people take part in boxing-fuelled sessions that build confidence, communication, and leadership skills. Guided by our team, they learn how to lead, plan, and inspire others, all within the safe and empowering environment of our gym.
Each participant designs and delivers a social action project that benefits their community, from running local fitness classes to volunteering at Empire events, putting their new skills into real-world practice.
Graduates earn a qualification and are invited to take their leadership further as Youth Champions.
YOUTH AMBASSADORS: lEADING CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY
As Youth Ambassadors, young people use their voice, experience, and leadership to champion Empire’s work and act as positive role models for their peers. They help inspire others, challenge inequality, and create lasting change within their communities.
Youth Ambassadors:
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Speak at schools, events, and community forums
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Co-deliver Empire programmes and support the training of professionals
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Design and lead campaigns on issues affecting young people
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Advise partners and decision-makers
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Represent young people’s voices in local consultations and public spaces
Through these opportunities, Youth Ambassadors help shape how young people are supported — in Bristol and beyond.
1000 VOICES: LISTENING, LEARNING, LEADING
Our youth coordinators, Mariella and Serena, are also driving a 1000 Voices project, which is in the process of gathering young people’s views on issues that matter most to them, including youth violence, mental health, and social mobility.
Their insights guide our work and campaigns, ensuring every young person’s voice contributes to meaningful, community-led change. Additionally, this project is now in collaboration with The University of the West of England, ensuring this research project produces to make sure the project captures valid presentable findings that can then be used to create genuine change for young people across the city.
"We also launched the ‘1000 Voices’ project to understand what matters most to Bristol’s young people and changes they’d like to see. They have significant concerns around youth violence, access to community provision and want to feel safer.”
Mariella, Youth Voice Coordinator
