Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge FINAL 2026

Welcome to the Yorkshire Speak Out Challenge FINAL 2026! Get ready for an evening filled with powerful speeches at The Carriageworks!

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 3000 young people from across Yorkshire have taken part in the Speak Out Challenge 2025-26 with a full day public speaking workshop. The event's speakers are all Year 10s who have progressed to the final with their phenomenal speeches.

The Event

15 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 Yorkshire Speak Out Champion 2026!

The event is FREE.

“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

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. This year, we are working with over 35,000 young people across the UK, delivering the UK's largest youth public speaking competition.

We are extremely grateful to our sponsors Paydyn, Mare Nostrum and Movement for Good for championing this programme.

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