National Speak Out Challenge - North East FINAL 2026

The National Speak Out Challenge

The National 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.

In its first year in Newcastle, the National Speak Out Challenge 2026 programme has reached over 500 young people with a full day public speaking workshop, and CPD for teachers. The event's speakers are all Year 10s who have progressed to the final with their phenomenal speeches.

The Event

Up to 18 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 North East National Speak Out Champion 2026!

“It’s so wonderful to see the confidence and the passion of these young people, doing something I wouldn’t have even dared to at that age. I was honestly blown away by what I heard.” - Dr Peter Olusoga, Senior Lecturer, Podcast host, VIP Judge 2023-26

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 2026-27 academic year, we are working with over 40,000 young people across the UK, delivering the UK's largest youth public speaking competition.

We are thrilled to have delivered this programme in the North East thanks to our partners Benefact Group Movement for Good and Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation.