Rotary Youth Leadership Award Thames Valley

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Rotary Youth Leadership Award Thames Valley

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A fantastic opportunity for anyone 18-28 to attend a leadership and team building course for free!

27/07/2026

Malala Yousafzai has become a global icon for education, women’s empowerment and bravery.

After writing an anonymous diary as a child, she was targeted and shot by the Taliban on her way to school at the age of just 15.

It sent shockwaves around the world. Since then, she has become a defiant voice for women and girls.

At the Rotary Convention in Taipei, she revealed her Rotary connection, and how her father's involvement with Rotary in Pakistan helped instil the values that shaped her.

Read the full feature: https://magazine.rotarygbi.org/malala-ri-convention-july-2026

Malala Yousafzai | Rotary International | Malala Fund |

26/07/2026

What an incredible last two days for our RYLA candidates as they completed their expedition challenge! 🌄⛺

The overnight expedition brought together everything they have been developing throughout the course: teamwork, leadership, resilience, communication and the confidence to step outside their comfort zones.

Across two days of activities, candidates worked together, encouraged one another and supported their teammates through unfamiliar challenges. For many, it was a chance to try something new, overcome personal barriers and discover skills they didn’t know they had.

There were so many moments that showcased what RYLA is all about: someone stepping forward to lead, someone else offering encouragement, teams finding solutions together, and plenty of achievements and smiles along the way.

For our participants, this experience has been about much more than completing activities. It has been about building confidence, forming new friendships and learning how they can make a positive impact as future leaders.

As the sun sets on another RYLA course, our candidates can look back with pride at everything they have achieved, the challenges they have overcome and the memories they have created together. We are incredibly proud of them too. 🌅👏

A huge well done to everyone involved for embracing the challenge, supporting each other and showing what can be achieved when you work as a team.

Huge thanks to Rhos y Gwaliau Outdoor Education Centre and their incredible staff, Rotarian mentors Peter and Gillian, and all the Clubs and supporters who gifted and enabled this opportunity to our candidates.
Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell
Burnham Beeches Rotary
Chinnor Rotary
Rotary Club Cookham Bridge
Rotary Club of Elthorne-Hillingdon
Rotary Club Henley-on-Thames
Rotary Club of Hungerford
Rotary Club of Langley & Iver
Rotary Club of Loddon Vale
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club
Rotary Club of Maidenhead Thames
Rotary Club of Reading Abbey
Rotary Club of Reading Matins
Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh
Rotary Club of Wokingham
Rotary Club of Uxbridge

22/07/2026

The last two days of the Rotary District 1090 RYLA leadership course have been packed with opportunities for candidates to learn new skills, test themselves and develop as leaders.

Through a range of exciting but challenging activities including mine navigation, canoeing, camp craft, navigation, abseiling and the Tyrolean traverse, candidates have been building confidence, communication skills and the ability to support one another in unfamiliar situations.

Alongside these practical challenges, they have continued to tackle problem-solving team tasks and take time to reflect on their experiences, understanding how their actions, decisions and leadership styles impact those around them.

Tomorrow marks the start of the 30-hour challenge - the culmination of everything they have been working towards this week! Teams will need to plan, pack everything they need for food, camping and activities into their team minibus, then lead their teammates through a demanding series of challenges where teamwork, resilience, organisation and leadership will be put to the test.

After tonight’s scores, there is just one point separating the teams, meaning it is still all to play for over the next two days!

The energy, determination and teamwork shown by all candidates so far has been fantastic. We can’t wait to see how they rise to the challenge ahead. 🚐🛶 🧗‍♂️ 🧭 ⛺💪

20/07/2026

Day 2: Learning to work together, one challenge at a time

The adventure continued with a day focused on teamwork, communication and putting new skills into practice.

From constructing and problem-solving as a team to navigating challenges outdoors, participants discovered that successful teamwork is about much more than completing the task, it’s about how you work together along the way.

The lessons of the day were clear: take it slow, think about how you communicate, and remember the importance of listening to each other. Strong teams are built through patience, understanding and giving everyone the chance to contribute.

And after all that teamwork and problem-solving, what better way to celebrate than with a refreshing dip in the lake! 🌊☀️

A day full of challenges, learning, laughter and memories, with even stronger teams ready for what comes next!

19/07/2026

Day 1: New teams, new challenges, new adventures!

The first day of the course got off to a fantastic start as participants came together to meet their teammates, learn more about the programme, and begin building the foundations of a strong team.

The day combined classroom sessions with practical activities, helping everyone understand the challenges ahead, develop communication skills, and get to know the people they’ll be relying on throughout the journey.

From introductions and team-building exercises to getting outdoors and working together in a different environment, the group quickly began to develop trust, confidence, and a real sense of teamwork.

As the day drew to a close, everyone had the chance to reflect on the experiences so far while enjoying a beautiful sunset over lake Bala, a perfect end to a day filled with new friendships, learning and the first steps of an exciting adventure!

A brilliant start to what promises to be an unforgettable experience!

Rhos y Gwaliau Outdoor Education Centre
Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell
Burnham Beeches Rotary
Chinnor Rotary
Rotary Club Cookham Bridge
Rotary Club of Elthorne-Hillingdon
Rotary Club Henley-on-Thames
Rotary Club of Hungerford
Rotary Club Langley & Iver
Rotary Club Loddon Vale
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club
Rotary Club of Maidenhead Thames
Rotary Club of Reading Abbey
Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh
Rotary Club of Reading Matins
Rotary Club of Wokingham
Rotary Club of Uxbridge

27/04/2026

Want better conversations at work? It’s simpler than you think

A study of 2,000+ real workplace conversations found that trust and strong relationships come down to 3 things 👇

✨ Share the mic
Let people actually speak—good convos aren’t one-sided

✨ Focus on now + next
Talking about the future builds trust way more than rehashing the past

✨ Keep it mostly professional
You can still connect—but structure it so work stays the priority

The takeaway?
Better conversations = more trust, better teamwork, and stronger results.

Keep it balanced. Keep it intentional.

https://knowledge.insead.edu/leadership-organisations/how-leaders-can-have-effective-conversations?__cf_chl_tk=mJSgVQH0XrjT3eqNqK.eXDJ9SuGFQsGUTTZ9l.Up1uc-1771015178-1.0.1.1-_nbW1op9wcE9_GNsWYUoG1pLrZ54rygzen_83YtPd30

19/04/2026

Turns out great leaders and great comedians have a lot in common 👀

✔️ They read the room
✔️ They connect with people
✔️ They stay calm under pressure
✔️ They aren’t afraid to be real

Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about engaging people in the moment. (bullseyeengagement.com)

That’s the focus of our Rotary course: building confident, authentic leaders who can adapt, connect and inspire.

Interested? 👇

https://www.case.org/resources/leadership-lessons-comedian?utm_campaign=Advancement%20Weekly&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8L-GWZuI2eUnViKMPOhR3VvsUlz7XqtR1Ux4unQOjj2k3oub7xU_Dyzjy3JYKXVWowMSYUSxG0H9x_1VROX8fG2IDT2g&_hsmi=413224710&utm_content=413224710&utm_source=hs_email

17/04/2026

This isn’t your typical classroom.

No desks. No lectures. Just real challenges, real teamwork, and real growth.

RYLA is where you:
✔ Build confidence
✔ Push your limits
✔ Make lifelong friends
✔ Discover what you’re truly capable of

If you want something more than school… this is it.

🚨 Places available for 2026
👉 Apply now via the link in bio

Tag someone who should do this with you 👇

Rhos y Gwaliau Outdoor Education Centre

Address

Rhos Y Gwaliau
Bala
LL23 7ET

Website

http://ryla.thamesvalleyrotary.info/

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