Youth Travel Ambassadors (YTA)

Youth Travel Ambassadors (YTA)

About this activity

Suitable for secondary school pupils (Key Stages 3 and 4).

The Youth Travel Ambassador (YTA) programme provides young people aged 11 to 19 with the skills and confidence to address transport issues affecting their school community.

With support from TfL, the borough and school staff, YTA teams research and develop behaviour change campaigns, focusing on:

  • Active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling to school

  • Road safety, sharing key road safety messages

  • Improving the passenger experience by promoting responsible behaviour on the transport network

Please see our brochure for more information or visit our YouTube page.

If your school would like to take part in YTA, contact your borough's road safety officer or school travel advisor or email [email protected]

What you’ll need

  • A group of YTA students (we recommend no more than 12)
  • A member of school staff to oversee and coordinate the scheme
  • A dedicated YTA noticeboard at your school

How to evidence your activity

  • Involve your borough officer: Share your ideas, agree your objectives and discuss any challenges you face
  • Record the feedback from your pupils. Note how YTA has impacted travel at your school and how this has helped meet your objectives
  • Sign in to STARS to add your story. Make sure you update the story with any new activities your YTAs do throughout the year. Add photos of their work in action and the YTA noticeboard. Include pupils’ feedback and any promotional materials produced

Activity steps

1
Get started
Contact your borough officer or email [email protected] to get the ball rolling
2
Appoint a YTA school guide
Recruit an enthusiastic member of staff as your school’s YTA Guide
3
Choose your package
You will be given the choice of three YTA packages which provide different levels of support depending on your school's needs
4
Recruit your YTA team
Select pupils to be involved through an election or interview process or using School Council members
5
Research and plan
Support your YTA team to identify the transport issues affecting the school community. With your YTA coordinator develop your campaign based on these issues
6
Pitch for funding
Depending on your package, your YTAs will either be invited to pitch or apply for up to £250 funding. Contact your YTA coordinator for help with your team's preparation
7
Deliver!
Once you've been awarded your funding your YTAs can get going! Be sure to provide evidence of all the great work you've been doing
8
Tell your story
Feedback to your borough officer and add your story to the STARS website

Tags

  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Public transport
  • Smarter driving
  • Independent travel
  • Road safety

This activity counts towards:

  • Travel activity

How it helps

  • Supports active travel projects
  • Encourages class participation and team work
  • Offers funding opportunities

Resources

Useful links, templates and case studies to support this activity