National Speak Out Challenge - East Midlands FINAL 2026

Welcome to the East Midlands National Speak Out Challenge 2026! Get ready for an evening filled with powerful speeches at The Y Theatre, Leicester.

The Speak Out Challenge

The Speak Out Challenge is a programme designed to develop young people's confidence and communication skills, giving them the opportunity to speak out on issues they care about.

Over 300 young people across the East Midlands have taken part in the National Speak Out Challenge 2025-26 with a full day public speaking workshop. The event speakers are all Year 10s who have progressed to the final with their phenomenal speeches.

The Event

Finalists will speak out in front of a crowd with an original speech that highlights their unique perspectives and passions. Each speech will last between 1.5 and 3 mins.

Speeches will be judged by a panel of VIPs from a wide range of sectors and the evening will conclude with an awards ceremony, celebrating young voices from across the region, and crowning the East Midlands National Speak Out Challenge Champion 2026!

"What a truly inspirational evening, the young people on stage this evening showed true grit and courage, it was simply remarkable." - City Mayor of Leicester, Mayor Peter Soulsby, June 2025

-- The event is FREE --

Speakers Trust

Speakers Trust exists to unlock potential through the power of communication. Our vision is for every young person to be able to speak confidently and be heard. In the 2025-26 academic year, we are working with over 35,000 people across the UK, delivering the UK's largest youth public speaking competition.

In the East Midlands this year, we are thrilled to have partnered with Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation, a new family foundation that supports young people to discover new passions, have fun, find purpose in life and experience the joy of leading their own personal growth.

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