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Kew Youth Council

THE FOUNDATION AND FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS,KEW
Kew Gardens, Richmond
Full-time
30th March 2026
Listed today

Kew Youth Council

Kew Youth Council 

Applications are currently open for RBG Kew’s Youth Council. 

Kew Youth Council brings together a group of 15 young people aged 17-25 who are committed to creating a world where nature is valued and protected. 

They work with our senior leadership team to help fulfil Kew’s mission and ensure that the voice and views of young people are integrated into  Kew’s decision-making. 

Kew is a global organisation working at the forefront of conservation to end the extinction crisis and safeguard the future. We recognise that problems  spanning generations require leadership that does too. As a founding member of our Youth Council, you will help us to shape this exciting new initiative and work to integrate a youth voice within an organisation with international reach and reputation. 

We are looking for young people with diverse lived experiences, who are willing and able to be both representatives of Kew and its work, and to offer their opinions, ideas and perspectives on a wide range of organisational matters. 

If you think this could be you, we want to hear from you! Please read below for more information. 

Kew aims to be an inclusive space for all. If you have questions regarding accessibility requirements, please email youth@kew.org with your questions or to arrange a phone call. 

Closing date for applications is Monday 30 March 2026 

Kew Youth Council 

Applications are currently open for RBG Kew’s Youth Council.

Kew Youth Council brings together a group of 15 young people aged 17-25 who are committed to creating a world where nature is valued and protected.

They work with our senior leadership team to help fulfil Kew’s mission and ensure that the voice and views of young people are integrated into Kew’s decision-making.

Kew is a global organisation working at the forefront of conservation to end the extinction crisis and safeguard the future. We recognise that problems spanning generations require leadership that does too. As a founding member of our Youth Council, you will help us to shape this exciting new initiative and work to integrate a youth voice within an organisation with international reach and reputation.

We are looking for young people with diverse lived experiences, who are willing and able to be both representatives of Kew and its work, and to offer their opinions, ideas and perspectives on a wide range of organisational matters.

If you think this could be you, we want to hear from you! Please read below for more information.

Kew aims to be an inclusive space for all. If you have questions regarding accessibility requirements, please email youth@kew.org with your questions or to arrange a phone call. 

Closing date for applications is Monday 30 March 2026 

Kew Youth Council

More details

What to expect/ what you will be doing: 

  • The Youth Council meet onsite quarterly, providing consultation on various Kew projects. On these days we will have lunch together and tour various areas of the Gardens.

  • This meeting will involve discussion around agenda items that have been referred for a young person’s perspective. Items referred to the Youth Council will vary, but projects that we have consulted on so far include the EDI strategy, the 2027 October Exhibition, The Manifesto for Change review, Wakehurst and Palm House interpretation, and the Science Strategy.

  • The Youth Council will feed into RBG Kew’s Executive Board papers and discussions and regularly submit a report to the Board of Trustees. (see organisational diagram)

  • The Youth Council also consists of various working groups which members are able to join according to their interests. These working groups are voluntary but meet online monthly to plan and execute their different projects.

  • These projects may include developing events, such as the Our Futures event delivered by the Youth Council in December 2025, as well as connecting to other youth advocacy organisations, working on policy documents and conducting research.

  • The Youth Council will also be invited to various events at Kew and beyond, raising the profile of young people at Kew and of the organisation within the youth advocacy and conservation sectors.

Expected Time Commitment

  • You will be expected to attend 5 full day, in -person sessions across the year, for a minimum term of 1 year, and maximum of 3.

  • There will also be expected pre- reading to complete prior to our in- person sessions. We anticipate 2 hours of pre- reading prior to each session.

  • There will be other, voluntary opportunities to represent Kew at public events.

  • Monthly online sessions are voluntary, but recommended in order to feel part of the Youth Council community.

 Dates for 2025 (in person only): 

Please note that these have been arranged to fall out of usual school hours to try and ensure that they are accessible to as many as possible. If you would like to apply but cannot make these dates, please mention this in your application. We will review if we find these dates are too restrictive.

  • Wednesday 20 (in person) and Thursday 21 (online) May- Interviews

  • Friday 26 June- Induction and Training

  • Friday 24- Sunday 26 July- Youth Council Meeting and residential at Wakehurst (Residential TBD)

  • Friday 30 October- Youth Council Meeting

  • Saturday 30 January 2027 Youth Council Meeting