Introducing The Current a Policy & Research Network for Young People
Today, The Insight to Impact Collective is launching The Current, a new network for 16-21 year-olds interested in policy, research, government and social change.
The Current will create opportunities for young people to build their experience and deepen their understanding of how policy and research shape the issues around them. It will also create ways for young people to share their perspectives on the issues that matter to them.
Applications are now open to young people across England and Wales.
As The Collective undertakes research, explores policy developments and looks at the issues shaping young people's lives, we want to be able to hear directly from members of The Current and bring their perspectives into our work. There will also be opportunities for members to develop their knowledge, make connections and gain experience through The Collective's work and networks.
The Current is particularly focused on young people who are interested in policy and research and want to explore that interest further. That interest doesn't need to come with a long list of previous experience. You might already have been involved in research or policy, be exploring these areas through your studies, or simply find yourself following what's happening in government, reading about the issues you care about and wanting to understand more.
Creating access and opportunity
Many young people care deeply about the issues affecting their lives, their communities and the people around them. They want to create change, improve opportunities for other young people and play a part in shaping what happens next.
Many of those issues are shaped by decisions made through policy. From the education they receive and the opportunities available to them, to the public services they use and the places they live, decisions made through government and public policy have a direct impact on their experiences and their futures. Creating opportunities for young people to understand, engage with and contribute to those decisions matters.
We want to help close the distance between young people and those processes. The Current will create opportunities for young people to understand more about how policy is developed, how research and evidence can influence it, and how they can contribute their own perspectives and ideas along the way.
That means building knowledge and experience, but also developing the connections and confidence to step into spaces that might otherwise feel unfamiliar. For some members, The Current might be their first introduction to this work. Others may already be studying, campaigning, researching or getting involved in the issues they care about.
Knowing how to navigate policy and research, where opportunities exist and who to learn from can make a significant difference. Through The Current, we want to make more of those connections possible and create opportunities for young people to build their knowledge and experience.
We know there is still a significant gap between young people's interest in the issues around them and how much influence they feel they have. The Children's Commissioner for England's Big Ambition found that only 10% of teenagers believed they had the power to influence the issues they care about.
The Current is one way The Collective can help bring young people closer to policy and research, while creating more opportunities for their perspectives to be part of the conversations and work that shape their lives.
Rylie Sweeney, Founder and CEO of The Insight to Impact Collective, said:
“I'm incredibly proud that The Collective is launching The Current. We know there are young people across the country who care deeply about the issues shaping their lives and want to understand how they can make a difference.
“Young people's perspectives are central to how we want The Collective's research and policy work to develop. The Current gives us another way to build those relationships, hear directly from young people and create opportunities for them to contribute their ideas, experiences and perspectives to the work we're doing.
“We want The Current to help young people make those connections, understand more about how change happens and gain experience. We also want to use our network to open doors and create opportunities for young people to connect with and learn from people working across policy, research and government. I'm really looking forward to welcoming our first members and seeing how The Current develops with them.'“
Applications are now open
We're looking for young people aged 16–21 from across England to join The Current.
Applications are open until 10:00 BST on 4 September 2026.
We've put everything you need to know on The Current webpage, including more about how the network works, what you could get involved in, answers to frequently asked questions and the application form.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CURRENT AND APPLY
If you know a young person who might be interested, please share The Current with them.