Case Study: Young People at the Heart of Heritage - Reflections from the Youth Open Day 

Last year, Cadets, Badgers and volunteers from St John Ambulance came together at the Museum of the Order of St John for a Youth Open Day that put young people firmly in the lead. The event captured the impact of giving young people real ownership over how heritage is explored and shared. 

From immersive VR experiences exploring the Priory Church before the Second World War, to a “Uniform Through the Ages” catwalk and heritage-themed escape rooms, most activities were designed and delivered by young people. This approach brought fresh energy and relevance, challenging traditional perceptions of museums as static or inaccessible spaces. Instead, history became something interactive, creative and meaningful. 

Young people were not just participating, they were leading. More than half of the activities were run by cadets and volunteers, demonstrating their confidence, creativity and ability to engage others. The result was a dynamic, youth-led programme that connected participants with over 900 years of history in new and engaging ways. 

Support from Heritage Youth Partnership microgrants played a key role in making this possible. Funding enabled six groups from across the country to attend, supporting travel and the development of their own heritage activities. This helped bring together over 350 young people, making it the largest event of its kind. 

The impact was clear: 85% of participants felt more part of the St John Ambulance community, 80% felt more inspired or happier, and 66% made new connections with people different from themselves. 

The Youth Open Day is a powerful reminder that when young people are trusted to lead, they don’t just engage with heritage, they transform it. 

To hear directly from the cadets, watch the video below.