In October last year we advertised for volunteers to be a part of our Young Ambassadors scheme.

We're very pleased to say that 24 volunteers came forward to provide a voice for young people in London and help build strong relationships with other youth groups from the US and France.

So what have they been doing since then and what's still to come...?

The Young Ambassadors in Paris

In February our youthful ambassadors began to build strong Franco-Anglo relationships by visiting the British and US embassies in Paris.

Meeting with young Parisians in London

Our sociable teenagers met with a group of French representatives in the Tachbrook Youth Club in Westminster. They were in turn representing sporting association Sport Dans La Ville, from Paris.

Peabody Youth Board launches

The Youth Board was officially launched in March at St Hugh's College in the University of Oxford. In future, members of the Board will:

• Be involved in the delivery of our Young Peoples services, and
• Represent young people at a local level

Next stop Peabody, Massachusetts!

On 31 March the Youth Board will be flying to the City of Peabody in Massachusetts.

As well as meeting with the City’s Mayor and City Hall councillors, they'll catch up with student leaders from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School to exchange views on what makes a good leader and ambassador.

Another item high on the agenda will be discussions around what an International Youth Forum (which the UK, US and French representatives will eventually be part of) would look like and what it would do.

Further information on the Young Ambassadors

In partnership with the US Embassy in London, the British Embassy in Paris, the British Cabinet Office and the Pears Foundation, we're helping to support young people and develop Youth Boards which will:

• Discuss and offer solutions to society and community issues

• Help them understand the principle of democracy, helping them understand how to shape and influence local and political environments

• Allow them to communicate and develop international projects with other youth forums within the UK and abroad.

Watch this space

We'll be looking for new representatives later in the year, so keep an eye out for news here and on Facebook and Twitter, where we'll also be posting news and photos from our Young Ambassadors' US trip.