Standing Firm in Power and Pride: How Youth Voice Ambassadors Are Shaping the Future
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On Thursday, 30th October, Youth Voice Ambassadors from Genuine Futures CIC took to the streets of Bolton — standing firm in power and pride. These remarkable young leaders are proving that when young people are trusted to lead, collaborate, and take action, communities unite and opportunities grow.
Through programmes like Boss Your Future and our youth-led social enterprise We Shine Any Car, our ambassadors are showing that youth empowerment and community engagement are the key ingredients to real, lasting change.
Power in Purpose: Youth-Led Leadership in Action
The day saw our Youth Voice Ambassadors lead a dynamic youth-led social action initiative across Bolton — engaging local residents, connecting with businesses, and proudly promoting We Shine Any Car. From the Young Futures Hub at The Scrappers to the town centre, the team shared stories of growth, teamwork, and enterprise.
A highlight of the day came when our ambassadors met and spoke with officers from Greater Manchester Police. The conversation was positive, insightful, and filled with mutual respect. The officers were genuinely impressed by the professionalism, passion, and impact of the young people’s work — particularly the We Shine Any Car project.
In fact, the officers expressed real enthusiasm about the idea of bringing a police vehicle down to The Scrappers for a wash — a gesture that perfectly captures the spirit of partnership and trust being built between young people and public services.
“The police were brilliant with us — they loved what we’re doing at We Shine Any Car and said they might bring one of their cars down to get washed!”
— Youth Voice Ambassador, Bolton
Leadership That Grows Through Collaboration
At Genuine Futures, we believe that the leadership of young people flourishes best when communities are engaged and included in discussions with funders. The events of Thursday, 30th October, were a perfect example of this in action.
Our Youth Voice Ambassadors demonstrated how youth-led leadership can bring people together — from community members to police officers — creating space for understanding, respect, and shared purpose.
This approach reflects our commitment to consensus-driven social action, where young people, community stakeholders, and funders co-design solutions that reflect real needs. When everyone has a voice, social action becomes deeply rooted and genuinely transformative.
“When funders, communities, and young people come together, social action becomes more than a project — it becomes a shared mission.”
— Genuine Futures Team
Enterprise as Empowerment: The We Shine Any Car Movement
At the heart of our youth empowerment work is We Shine Any Car — a youth-led social enterprise in Bolton that turns practical work into purpose-driven change. For our young people, it’s more than a car wash — it’s a symbol of progress, teamwork, and belief.
Every car washed represents a journey of growth and confidence. Through enterprise, our Youth Voice Ambassadors are developing vital employability and communication skills while restoring pride and ownership in their community.
“We’re not just washing cars — we’re shining a light on what young people can achieve when they’re trusted and supported.”
— Youth Voice Ambassador, We Shine Any Car
The positive feedback from Greater Manchester Police reinforced this — proof that our young people’s work is not only valued but respected across all parts of the community.
Weekly Youth-Led Social Action Across Bolton
The success of the Thursday,30th October social action event marked the start of something bigger. Building on that momentum, our Youth Voice Ambassadors will now lead weekly youth-led social action across Bolton — taking their message of enterprise, empowerment, and unity into new neighbourhoods every week.
Each session will give young people the chance to connect with local residents, showcase We Shine Any Car, and promote youth leadership as a powerful tool for change.
“We’ll be out there every week — meeting people, sharing our story, and showing that young people can make a difference.”
— Youth Voice Ambassador, Genuine Futures
A Consensus-Driven Future
The 30th October event reaffirmed one vital truth: social action works best when it’s designed through consensus. When young people, communities, and funders come together to listen, learn, and lead, the results are meaningful and long-lasting.
Through dialogue, collaboration, and inclusion, our Youth Voice Ambassadors are helping embed youth-led leadership within the fabric of Bolton — ensuring that young people’s voices shape decisions, influence systems, and strengthen communities.
Standing Firm for the Future
The events of Thursday, 30th October, showed the power of youth-led collaboration in action. From connecting with residents and businesses to building bridges with Greater Manchester Police, our Youth Voice Ambassadors stood tall — in power, in pride, and in purpose.
With their continued weekly social action, their voices will keep echoing through the heart of Bolton — reminding us all that the future is built not just for young people, but with them.
Learn more about how our Youth Voice Ambassadors are transforming Bolton through enterprise and youth-led social action:
https://genuinefutures.co.uk