The power of young people's voices

If you're one of our peer educators and you want to go further as a voice against prejudice, you can apply to join our youth empowerment programme. It's aimed especially at young people who speak from personal experience of prejudice.

If you're accepted onto the programme, you become an Anne Frank Ambassador. One of our Anne Frank Workers will become your anti-prejudice mentor until you reach 16. They will support you on a journey of learning and empowerment in school and beyond. 

You'll get some amazing opportunities - trips, events, online workshops, creative projects, residentials and media interviews.

By bringing your anti-prejudice message to new audiences, you'll grow as person and make a real difference in the world around you.

Anne's message is so important because other people need to be aware that prejudice and hate still continue today. We made a film and form-time resources for others to use in our school. We based them on homophobic language because we felt this was an issue in our school and we wanted to make a difference. As Anne Frank Ambassadors we have now formed an LGBT group at school and continue to make our voices heard. 

Anne Frank Ambassador, Yorkshire

Youth empowerment programme - what you need to know

Who is the programme for? 

Young people aged 10 to 15 who have completed our schools programme as peer educators.

Places on the youth empowerment programme are limited. We give priority to young people who are disadvantaged (e.g. from low income families) or have personal experience of prejudice (e.g. because of disability, gender, race, refugee status, religion or sexuality).

We want every participant to be in the programme for at least 12 months, so we're unlikely to give you a place if you're already in the school year in which you will reach 16. 

What happens if I'm accepted into the programme?

You become an Anne Frank Ambassador.

We start by giving you a certificate, a badge, and a notebook. One of our Anne Frank Workers (probably the one who trained you as a peer educator) will become your mentor. They will support you in your role as a voice against prejudice until you're 16. They will offer you individual guidance and advice, as well as inviting you to group projects and events. 

What is an Anne Frank Ambassador?

An Anne Frank Ambassador is a young person who is committed to building a world free from prejudice, inspired by the life and work of Anne Frank.

What you do in your role as an Anne Frank Ambassador is up to you. As long as you're focused on overcoming prejudice, we will try to help you do it. You may want to start a project in your school or your local community, or tell your personal story through film or music, or get your message out through social media. We can't provide money or equipment, but we may be able to help you find other funding or resources if your project needs it.

What will I get out of the programme?

• You will learn the skills and confidence to be a powerful voice for equality for the rest of your life.
• Your identity - e.g. your disability, gender, race or sexuality - will become a permanently positive part of who you are.
• You will make a real difference to prejudice in your community and the wider world. 
• You will be a source of pride to your family, friends and school.
• When you reach secondary school or 6th form or university, you'll have a unique track record of achievement.
• The experience you gain in project planning, teamwork, public speaking and creativity will be huge assets when you apply for jobs.
• You will meet different people and make lifelong friendships.
• You will help develop and promote the Anne Frank Trust so we can bring our work to more young people.

What topics does the programme cover?

The focus is on speaking out against prejudice, especially by telling your personal story, and with Anne Frank as an ongoing source of inspiration.

We cover all forms of prejudice, including antisemitism, disablism, prejudice against Gypsy Roma Traveller people, prejudice against refugees, racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, sexism and transphobia. You can choose which type or types of prejudice are most important to you.

We are an education charity, not a political campaign, so, if you decide to get involved in politics or campaigning - or if your focus moves on to other issues like climate change - we'll help you find other places to pursue your interest. You can carry on with your Anne Frank mentoring and projects at the same time as getting involved with other organisations. 

How does the mentoring work?

Your Anne Frank Worker will meet you at least once a term. The sessions usually take place online or in school, but not in lesson times. Sometimes the sessions are one-to-one, sometimes together with other Anne Frank Ambassadors in your school.

In a typical mentoring session, your Anne Frank Worker will help you set your anti-prejudice goals and review your progress towards them. They mighty offer you guidance, feedback or ideas. They will let you know about the latest group opportunities we're offering to our ambassadors. They may signpost you to other organisations or resources.

We care about your wellbeing. Pastoral support is part of the mentoring, but our Anne Frank Workers are not counsellors or social workers. If needed, they may refer you elsewhere for more specialist help.

Between mentoring sessions, you can contact your Anne Frank Worker by text, phone or email. They will respond during normal working hours (Monday to Friday 9 to 5).

Can you tell me more about the group activities on offer?

In your first year in the programme, you complete online workshops in key skills such as creativity, team work, public speaking and social media.

Then you're invited to apply for other opportunities, such as:

• regional and national meetings to share ideas with other Anne Frank Ambassadors
• hosting or speaking at Anne Frank Trust public events in London and elsewhere
• writing a blog or making a video for our website
• going on a creative arts residential with other Anne Frank Ambassadors
• work experience placements
• occasional group trips to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

Places are limited, so you won't get to do everything, but we make sure every ambassador gets a range of experiences.

From 2023, there will also be a Youth Board of ambassadors to give ideas to the Anne Frank Trust, and a Media Team to get our work into the media.

How will this fit round my school work?

Your mentoring sessions will take place in breaks or after school. The group activities happen after school, at weekends or in the holidays. 

What happens if I want to leave the programme?

It's totally voluntary. You can drop out whenever you like - but we hope you'll talk it over first with your Anne Frank Worker.

What happens at the end of the programme?

Your time as an Anne Frank Ambassador will finish at the end of the school year when you become 16. We'll hold a graduation event to celebrate your achievements.

Afterwards, you can still keep in touch with us through our alumni network, which includes an e-bulletin and occasional events in person and online.

What does it cost?

The programme is free or charge, thanks to the generosity of our funders and donors. For events and trips, we cover all costs such as travel, food and accommodation.

How do I apply to the programme?

Your application needs to include:

• an original creative response to Anne Frank in any form - e.g. an artwork, essay, piece of music, poem, presentation, story or video clip
• a short personal statement about why you want to be an anti-prejudice ambassador - in writing, audio or film
• signed consent from your parent or carer.

Only young people who have finished one of our core programmes will be able to apply to become an ambassador. 

To apply and for more information email us at [email protected] 

Who will look at my application?

Applications are judged by our Youth Empowerment Panel, which includes previous Anne Frank Ambassadors. The panel meets once every school term.

The panel's decisions are final, and we don't enter into any correspondence about the decision. We're sorry we have to say No to lots of good applications. We try to give the limited places on the programme to the applicants we believe will benefit most. 

What if my application is unsuccessful?

We'll send you feedback, and you can re-apply a year later.

Since taking part in the programme I have seen such positive behaviour from our Ambassadors, understanding the importance of their message and wanting to promote it and look out for others around the schools. 

Teacher, Yorkshire