Empowering Wessex Youth
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Build Confidence. Discover Your Strengths. Lead the Way.
RYLA Wessex is an exciting leadership weekend for 16 and 17-year-olds designed to build confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
Take on new challenges, meet new people and discover what you're capable of.
Next course: 20-22 August 2027
Fully sponsored by Rotary
What is RYLA Wessex?
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
RYLA Wessex is part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards programme, giving young people the opportunity to develop practical leadership and life skills through an immersive residential weekend.
You'll work in small teams, tackle challenges, solve problems and learn how to communicate clearly and confidently.
RYLA isn't about sitting in a classroom learning leadership theory. It's about getting involved, trying new things and discovering how you respond when faced with a challenge.
Develop Skills for Your Future
Leadership: Discover your own leadership style and learn how to encourage and support others.
Confidence: Step outside your comfort zone, try something new and discover what you can achieve.
Communication: Learn how to share ideas clearly, listen to others and work effectively as part of a team.
Teamwork: Work alongside new people and learn how successful teams solve problems together.
Problem-Solving: Think creatively, make decisions and overcome practical challenges.
Personal Development: Learn more about your strengths, abilities and potential.
More Than an Activity Weekend
RYLA Wessex combines outdoor activities, team challenges, problem-solving exercises, leadership opportunities and reflection.
Every challenge has a purpose.
You'll have opportunities to take the lead, support your teammates, make decisions and learn from both your successes and mistakes.
There's no exam, no pass or fail and no expectation to be perfect.
You simply need to be willing to get involved and give things a go.
A Weekend That Can Make a Difference
Young people regularly leave RYLA with greater confidence, stronger communication skills, new friendships and a better understanding of what they can achieve.
You might arrive knowing nobody. By the end of the weekend, you'll have worked through challenges together, supported your teammates and made friendships with people you may never otherwise have met.
Who Can Attend RYLA Wessex?
RYLA Wessex is designed for young people aged 16-17.
You don't need to already consider yourself a leader.
We're looking for young people who are willing to:
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get involved
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meet new people
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try new experiences
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work as part of a team
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challenge themselves
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develop their confidence
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RYLA Wessex 2027
Ready for the Challenge?
The next RYLA Wessex leadership weekend takes place:
20-22 August 2027
at Tile Barn Outdoor Activity Centre in the New Forest.
The course is fully sponsored with the support of local Rotary clubs.
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Core RYLA Skills
Master critical thinking, adaptive communication, and strategic problem-solving through hands-on leadership challenges.
Developing Future Leaders
Unlock your potential with leadership training that benefits your future and creates lasting personal impact through self-discovery.
Personal Growth
Build life-long confidence and emotional intelligence, discovering the unique strengths that define your individual leadership style.
Future Impact
Transform your career prospects and community presence with skills designed for professional success and empowered global citizenship.
Making a Difference
“RYLA gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and try things I wouldn’t normally attempt. Over the weekend I became much more comfortable speaking to new people, sharing my ideas and challenging myself. I left wanting to keep building that confidence by taking part in more opportunities like this.”
Libby L
Cousre Particip[ant
“One of the best things about RYLA was arriving not really knowing anyone and discovering how quickly we became a team. Working, talking and solving challenges together made it much easier to get to know people. By the end of the weekend, strangers had become friends.”
Callum P
Course Participant
"Witnessing the transformation in these young people through RYLA is the most rewarding part of being a Rotary sponsor."
Rotary Sponsor
Wessex Region District