Southampton Future Leaders Summer School
Become a Future Leader
Applications are now open for the Southampton Future Leaders Summer School.
This summer, Darren Paffey MP is launching a unique opportunity for young people aged 15 to 17 from Southampton Itchen to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and gain first-hand experience of Parliament, public service, media, campaigning and public affairs.
The Summer School will run from Monday 27th July to Friday 31st July and bring together 25 young people from across the constituency for a week of workshops, visits, practical projects and networking opportunities.
Whether you are interested in politics, journalism, law, campaigning, communications, public service or simply making a difference in your community, the Future Leaders Summer School is designed to help you develop the skills and confidence to take the next step.
Applications are open now.
The Southampton Future Leaders MP Summer School has been created to empower local young people who want to make a difference.
Throughout the week, participants will learn from elected representatives, journalists, campaigners, universities, public affairs professionals and community leaders. The focus is on practical learning, teamwork and developing skills that can be applied throughout education, employment and civic life.
The Summer School builds on Darren’s ambition for a Southampton Opportunities Passport, helping connect young people to experiences, skills and opportunities beyond the classroom.
Participants will take part in sessions covering:
- Public speaking and debating
- Policy development and advocacy
- Political communications and speechwriting
- Media and crisis management
- Digital campaigning and social media
- Leadership and teamwork
- Community engagement
- Project development and presentation skills
The Academy combines learning with practical application, giving participants the opportunity to put new skills into practice throughout the week.
Monday 27th July – Introduction, Policy & Advocacy
The week begins with an introduction to the Summer School and fellow participants.
Students will explore how ideas become policy, how campaigns create change, and how local communities can influence decision-making. Participants will also begin considering issues they care about and how they might tackle them.
Tuesday 28th July – Media & Crisis Management
Working with journalists, communications professionals and media experts, participants will learn:
- How news is reported
- How media interviews work
- How organisations communicate effectively
- How public figures and organisations respond during crises
Students will take part in practical exercises and mock media scenarios.
Wednesday 29th July – Digital Campaigning, Political Communications & Public Speaking
Participants will learn how campaigns communicate with the public and how to deliver messages effectively.
Sessions will include:
- Speechwriting
- Public speaking
- Social media campaigning
- Political communications
- Confidence-building exercises
Students will have the opportunity to practise presenting and speaking in front of others.
Thursday 30th July – Parliament Day
Participants will travel to London for a visit to the Houses of Parliament.
The day will include:
- A guided Parliament tour
- Education sessions on democracy and government
- Opportunities to learn about the work of MPs
- Insights into careers within Parliament and public service
This will be a chance to see British democracy in action and experience Parliament first-hand.
Friday 31st July – Future Leaders Final Project
The Summer School concludes with a team-based challenge where participants apply everything they have learned throughout the week.
Working in groups, students will develop and present a campaign, policy proposal or community project before receiving feedback from invited guests and professionals.
By taking part, you will:
- Build confidence in speaking and presenting ideas
- Develop practical leadership skills
- Improve teamwork and problem-solving abilities
- Gain insight into careers in politics, journalism, law, public affairs and public service
- Meet professionals working in these sectors
- Visit Parliament and learn how democracy works
- Complete a practical project
- Receive a certificate of completion
- Become part of the Future Leaders Academy alumni network
The Academy is designed to help young people leave with greater confidence, stronger skills and a clearer understanding of future opportunities available to them.
Applications are open to young people who:
- Live in Southampton Itchen
- Will be aged 15–17 on 31st July
- Attend school, college, sixth form, or are home educated
- Are available to attend the full week
- Are interested in leadership, public service, journalism, media, politics, law or community action
No previous experience is required.
We are looking for young people with enthusiasm, curiosity and a desire to make a positive difference.
The Southampton Future Leaders Summer School has two core aims:
Empower Young People
To give young people who want careers that make a difference the confidence, skills and experiences needed to pursue their ambitions.
Create More Opportunities
To connect young people with professionals, organisations and opportunities across Southampton while helping develop the long-term vision of the Southampton Opportunities Passport.
Does it cost anything?
No. The programme is completely free to attend. Bus Travel will also be included.
Will food be provided?
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the week.
Will travel be provided?
We are working with local partners and sponsors to provide travel support wherever possible.
How many places are available?
There are 30 places available.
Is this political?
No. The Southampton Future Leaders MP Academy is a parliamentary and educational programme, not a party-political programme.
Young people of all backgrounds, beliefs and political views are welcome to apply.
How are places allocated?
Places will be allocated through an application process designed to assess motivation, interest and potential. We also want to ensure the Summer School is accessible to young people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Apply Now
Applications are now open.
Application Deadline: Friday 26th June
Successful Applicants Notified: Wednesday 1st July
Programme Dates: Monday 27th July – Friday 31st July
Maximum Places Available: 30
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Southampton Future Leaders MP Academy, please contact Darren’s office:
We look forward to receiving your application.
We are looking to build a network of Future Leaders Sponsors who can help support the programme through funding, venues, travel, workshops, mentoring, careers advice, or in-kind support.
Sponsoring the Academy is an opportunity to:
- Support young people from all backgrounds across Southampton
- Help develop future skills and employability
- Showcase your organisation’s commitment to education and opportunity
- Connect with the next generation of local talent
- Be recognised across Academy materials, communications and events
Whether you’re a local employer, university, transport provider, community organisation or national business with a presence in Southampton, we’d love to hear from you.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Together, we can help create the next generation of Southampton’s future leaders.