The Wake Youth Engagement Pilot
A paid opportunity to support other young Londoners to engage with The Wake and explore questions about history, memorialisation and learning.
Are you a young person aged 18-25 from East London who wants to use your voice, learn new skills and be part of something meaningful?
Foundation for Future London and the Mayor of London are recruiting eight young people from the Olympic boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest for a paid Youth Engagement role on an exciting international project called The Wake.
The Wake is a powerful new memorial honouring the millions of Africans who were enslaved and trafficked during the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans (TTEA) and their descendants.
From May–June 2026, you’ll help shape a brand-new youth-led approach to youth engagement — co-creating ideas, designing sessions for other young people, and making sure youth voices are heard at every stage of the project.
You’ll also take part in two months of paid training, covering:
- Communication & storytelling
- Research & critical thinking
- Project planning & facilitation
- Advocacy & campaigning
- Digital & social media skills
- Cultural visits and creative learning
You’ll reflect on the work together, help evaluate the project and co-design creative ways to share what you’ve learned.
What’s in it for you?
- Paid at London Living Wage (£14.80 per hour)
- Ongoing support from Foundation for Future London and a dedicated Youth Engagement Ambassador
- Access to future opportunities through Foundation for Future London and Mayor of London programmes
- A real stepping stone toward your goals and ambitions
Travel, subsistence and access support will also be provided.
Participants will be chosen through an open application process. We’ll review applications and shortlist in phases throughout the application period, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
If you care about history, community, creativity, and change — this is for you.
Deadline: Monday 20 April 2026, at midday.
How to apply
Fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/zdtathc1ijsmvSVN9
If you need a more accessible option, see the application questions below.
Please also complete our Equal Opportunity monitoring form: https://forms.gle/3gXL5AoU47y7RiMg7.
This is anonymous, and all information will be kept confidential. Please note: No information will be shared with any individual or organisation apart from our partner, the Greater London Authority.
Please hold Tuesday 28 April, in the morning in your diary for an in-person session.
If you have any questions, contact Sarah Nelson on sarahnelson@future.london .
If you need any access support to apply or take part, please get in touch.
Application questions
- Full Name
- Pronouns
- Address
- Email address
- Date of birth/age
- Phone Number
- Preference to be contacted, e.g., email, phone, text, or other e.g. Whatsapp
- Please write 1–2 short paragraphs (up to 500 words) about why you want to be involved in this project and/or what inspires you.
- Please also tell us about your life skills/experience you would bring to the project in heritage and what this project means to you and your own cultural heritage (up to 500 words). PLEASE NOTE: Direct experience (e.g. work, qualifications, and/or education) is not necessary. We are looking for a wide range of experience levels, from those who are new to projects like this to those who have studied or been involved in similar programmes.
- Access Requirements – If there’s anything you need to take part, or anything that might get in the way, let us know, and we’ll support you. This could include mobility or transport issues, caring responsibilities, time available or help with translation.
- Please tick the box to confirm you live, work or study in East London
- Please tick the box to confirm you can attend the induction sessions: Programme Induction and GLA introduction session on Tuesday 28 April in the morning.