Navigating youth engagement: Insights from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award - with Katie Bamber and Laura McIntosh

04/07/25 • 58 min

How can charities connect with young people in a noisy digital world? In this episode of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers dive into the ever-evolving world of youth engagement - and what charities need to do to truly connect with the next generation.

They’re joined by Katie Bamber and Laura McIntosh, the dynamic duo behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s (DofE) award-winning comms strategy, to explore how the charity stays relevant, resonates with young people and builds lasting impact in an increasingly noisy world.

In this episode:

📺 How the TV series Adolescence has shone a spotlight on the role children's charities can play in changing the conversation on youth pressures
📱 Keeping it real online—DofE’s approach to engaging young audiences in a digital-first world.
🎙️ The power of podcasts—why Navigating Now became a vital part of DofE’s communications strategy.
🧠 Top tips for youth engagement—from storytelling with authenticity to listening without assumptions.
🎉 What’s next for DofE—plans for its 70th anniversary and a bold new strategy to grow its reach.

Whether you’re working in youth services, charity comms, or just curious about what makes a youth campaign resonate in 2025, this episode is packed with advice and insight.

Get in touch:

📌 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Got a story or idea to share? Email us at [email protected]
📌 Send us a voice message or connect on social—all the links you need are here: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
📌 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe so you never miss what’s next!

Chapters

(00:09) Welcome to Episode 23
(06:53) Interview with Katie Bamber and Laura McIntosh – Part 1
(28:51) Third Sector News
(32:49) Interview – Part 2
(52:23) Superstars of the week
(56:55) What’s coming up next

Useful Links

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) official website
DofE Youth Ambassadors – Learn more about the voices shaping the Award’s future
The DofE’s research into young people’s experiences – Including insights mentioned in this episode
The #FreeToBeMe campaign – Empowering young people to explore who they are
The Charity Show on LinkedIn – Follow for more insights from across the sector

In this episode:

Whether you’re working in youth services, charity comms, or just curious about what makes a youth campaign resonate in 2025, this episode is packed with advice and insight.

Get in touch:

Chapters

Useful Links

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) official website
DofE Youth Ambassadors – Learn more about the voices shaping the Award’s future
The DofE’s research into young people’s experiences – Including insights mentioned in this episode
The #FreeToBeMe campaign – Empowering young people to explore who they are
The Charity Show on LinkedIn – Follow for more insights from across the sector

Previous Episode

BITES#4: Jackpot in the charity shop! Jaw dropping finds from across the UK

Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites! Your bitesize fix of charity sector surprises—quick, sharp, and packed with hidden gems.

This week, Tim and Piers explore jaw-dropping discoveries made in UK charity shops in recent years, proving that treasure really can be found among the second hand books and DVDs. From a £56,000 Bible to a £1 vase worth nearly half a million, these stories show just how valuable charity shops can be when it comes to boosting income for good causes.

📖 The £56,000 Bible—how an Oxfam shop in Chelmsford hit the jackpot with a centuries-old discovery.

⚡ Harry Potter gold—the first editions lurking in charity shops, with one selling for £69,000!

🎵 The £4,000 Beatles record—how a simple typo turned a vinyl into a collector’s dream.

🏺 The £1 vase that changed everything—the jaw-dropping story of an overlooked antique selling for £484,000.

🤔 Ethical dilemmas of charity shop treasure hunting—should you tell the shop when you spot a hidden gem?

Join the conversation on LinkedIn, or any of our soial channels, and share your best finds with us!

📌 Listen to The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📌 Got a story to share? Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice message! All the links you need are here: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
📌 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

🔗 #CharityPodcast #CharityShops #HiddenTreasures #Fundraising #TheCharityShow

In This Episode:Have you ever found something incredible in a charity shop?Follow & Subscribe

Next Episode

BITES#5: Easter egg hunts, a chocolate mix-up & April Fools : The most memorable Easter charity campaigns

Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites! Your bitesize fix of charity sector surprises— this week with egg-tra insights.

Join Tim and Piers as they hop into the UK's most egg-traordinary Easter campaigns, from chocolate chaos and yarn bombing to community-led raffles and accidental fundraising triumphs. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or just here for the puns, this one’s got something for everyone.

In this episode

🥚 The Great British Egg Hunt – How a small wording change in Cadbury and the National Trust’s campaign caused a national stir.

🎟️ Exeter Hospice Care’s Easter raffle – A community staple raising thousands each year.

🚢 The Great Orkney Egg Mix-Up – A shopkeeper’s blunder becomes an RNLI fundraising win.

🐣 Knitted Chicks in Lincolnshire – Cosy toppers meet Cadbury's Cream Eggs for a creative fundraising favourite.

🎁 Play to Give’s Easter collections – A grassroots chocolate drive supporting local children and families.

🎨 Yarn bombing for good – Local streets go technicolour in support of hospice care.

Got your own Easter fundraising story?

We’d love to hear it! Share your best seasonal campaigns and creative charity wins—we might include them in a future episode.

Follow & Subscribe📌 Listen to The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📌 Got a seasonal story or campaign? Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice message.
📌 All the links you need are here: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
📌 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and subscribe so you never miss what’s next!

🔗 #CharityPodcast #EasterFundraising #CharityCampaigns #CreativeFundraising #TheCharityShow