Lions Young Ambassadors And Shipshape Award​​

The Lions Young Ambassador programme recognises, encourages and supports young people (age 14-18) who are actively involved in helping others.  

My best memory of taking part has been meeting other young people who are also competing.  I recommend young people get involved with the Lions clubs as they allow you to form a strong sense of community, encourage young people like me to get involved in intergenerational work and form a love for social justice and volunteering. - Matthew Colgan​​

The competition operates throughout Europe and enables individual Lions or Leos clubs to select and sponsor a candidate as their Young Ambassador.  Successful candidates progress through a series of levels – club, zone, region and district – culminating in the final for Lions Clubs International British Isles (MD105) and an opportunity to participate in the European final.

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Jubilee Sailing Trust Shipshape Ward​​

Since 2000 all candidates for the Lions Young Ambassador Award are eligible for the Jubilee Sailing Trust Shipshape Award, (except the Young Ambassador chosen to represent MD105).  The award is presented to a Young Ambassador who demonstrates a particularly strong person commitment and enthusiasm for their community work.  The Lions Clubs Young Ambassador Shipshape Award provides a life-changing adventure at sea for one of the finalists.  

My experience of Young Ambassador has been amazing; I have met lots of young people and been presented with lots of opportunities. - Chelsea Gibson

It’s purpose is for the recipient to develop their leadership skills by joining a crew of young people with a range of abilities aboard the Jubilee Sailing Trust tall ship. 

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Finding Young Ambassadors​​

Young people who share Lions Clubs’ community service ethos can be found through schools, youth organisations, coverage in media/social media or participating in Lions Young Leaders in Service initiative.   To be eligible, candidates must have reached their 15th birthday but not their 19th birthday, on or before 30 June next year.    

I really would encourage you to take part, it might be that you don’t think your idea is good enough but I think if you are involved in your community that is a positive story that we need to tell more of; not only for yourself but sometimes there’s  this image that young people are not doing enough in their community whereas there are many of us actually very engaged and this is an opportunity to celebrate this. - Adam Harris

The winner of SE district finals wins £500 for their project; will take part in the MD 105 final where they will receive a further £500 bursary and the winner of this MD finals will take part in the Europe final where they could win a further 1500 euros for their welfare work.  Closing date for entries 30 th September 2023. ​​