Grand Champion Toby Yates answers our questions

Interviewing Toby Yates, Year 10 student from Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School (Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster). Toby took part in the Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge, and won the title of Grand Champion 2024 (from over 33,000 young people that took part in the academic year 2023-24).

1. What were your impressions of the Speak Out Challenge workshop (at school) now thinking back?

It was good fun and I remember loads of stuff and skills we learned on that original workshop. I definitely carried that through to the Grand Final.

2. Do you remember thinking that you learned something different from just taking that workshop?

It was really nice to have the chance to do public speaking as, in general, we don’t do much of speaking in class. And learning about public speaking, learning how to have good delivery and all those key skills that we learned in the workshop have been really useful and yeah, also enjoyable.

3. What was your speech about and how did you come up with the topic?

My speech was about small acts of kindness; I came up with the topic because pretty much throughout my life, my mum has always encouraged me to thank my bus driver every time I get off the bus. I was thinking about that: it’s something small and sometimes feels unnecessary. Is it even important?

After thinking about this, and other small acts of kindness we do every day, I started doing more research on the topic and realised how important kindness is on many levels.

That’s how I decided to speak about this.

4. I know you’re a member of the Youth Advisory Board at HFEH Mind and you volunteer with them on a regular basis, how did that happen?

I started volunteering there because I heard about it from my teacher and it’s been a great opportunity to help other people, especially people who are struggling with mental health. As part of the Youth Advisory Board, we meet up regularly and voice our opinions on projects and initiatives that are happening.

It’s also been fun to see how our input matters.

5. Would you recommend volunteering to other young people?

Usually when people become adults, that’s when they try to think and be more mindful of what’s going on.

I would really recommend it to younger people because volunteering in general, it’s really nice to give something back and you’re helping people who are in need and maybe aren’t as lucky as you, or maybe people who have been through the same kind of struggles you have. So you can empathise with them and people who were in your position, you can help.

But also just from a practical sense, you’re also learning loads of key skills that maybe you don’t learn in school and that will also definitely translate to later in life as well.

6. Why do you think it’s important for young people to voice their opinion, and speak publicly about things that matter to them?

Well, I think in general, I think some young people think they aren’t represented and they kind of don’t really have a voice, especially because we cannot vote until turning 18.
We’re not involved in anything like politics, we’re not involved in business or other areas of change. So, many young people think, what’s the point in having opinions?
What’s the point in having a point of view if you can’t get it across?

And I think opportunities like this (Speak Out Challenge) emphasise that you can and should share your opinions on things. It’s just important to know that you have your voice and you can use it.

7. What would you say are a few key points or memorable moments from the whole journey at Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge?

I remember my Regional Final really well: I could see everyone’s faces, I could see my parents and family supporting me, smiling while I was giving my speech.And I thought that was really nice seeing everyone in the crowd and visibly seeing them react to my speech, I remember that vividly.

Of course, the tense waiting process was an unforgettable moment because I didn’t know if I’d be selected for the Grand Final or not. And when I was at school and my mum got an e-mail to say that I’ve been selected, it was such a special moment.

On the Grand Final day, the first impression of the theatre was really cool, and something I won’t forget. Going out on stage in front of all those, all those people sitting silent and listening to you is really, really cool.

8. How was it like meeting the other top 14 participants at the Grand Final?

I was nervous before meeting them, wondering what everyone else will be like, what their speeches are going to be about.
The workshop we had on the day was really good, because it allowed us to get to know each other and chat- it was really nice, because although it’s still a competition, we don’t see each other as a threat. It felt like we’re all friends doing it together and almost like working as a team.

9. What is the one message or the one emotion that you want people to be left with after hearing your speech?

Well, what I want people to think when they hear my speech is to be mindful of the small acts of kindness you can do everyday, from a smile to a kind gesture. It feels small, but it has a massive effect.
And I just wanted everyone listening to my speech to kind of think about that because I mean, I, I definitely don’t do it all the time, but I’ve tried to interact more positively with people, just by doing those small acts of kindness and I wanted my audience to kind of do the same.

10. How do you think this experience has changed you?

It’s definitely made me a better public speaker.

I would also say that before doing the speech, I didn’t think much about the topic or how powerful it can be. But when I started and decided to do my speech on this, from the research and the writing, I learned so much and I realised just how much small acts of kindness really make a difference in the world.

11. You are actively involved in the school choir, theatre plays and public speaking competitions. What does the future hold for Toby and the stage?

I’m really thankful to my school for giving me all those amazing opportunities to act and sing and play music and stuff.The school music department is good and the drama department is good at the end of year play is always really good.

I’m not quite sure what I want to do yet, but I feel like I still love acting and I still love playing and performing music. But I’m sure that whatever I do, the skills I have from acting/ performing and being on stage, I’ll take with me later in life.

12. Finally, what is one fun fact people don’t know about you?

I collect rubber ducks.

Whenever I go on holiday, I always get a rubber duck. At the moment, I’ve got maybe 30 or 40.

13. What is a final message you’d like to leave the world with?

I’d like to say the last sentence of my speech: Of course, you can thank your bus drivers, be nice to strangers, and remember kindness is key.

Thank you Toby for answering our questions. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you 🙂