We hope that internships at the Young Foundation are a real chance for people to get a taste of working in social innovation - research, policy and practical application.

We encourage people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds to apply for our internship programme. If you think you have something to contribute to our work, please do not hesitate to apply.

Please see below for details, find out about where our current interns come from, check the Frequently Asked Questions and read up on how to apply.

The Internship experience at the Young Foundation

Interns work alongside our dedicated team of staff at our offices in Bethnal Green on a number of organisational and administrative activities, from desk-based research to events organisation.

Interns attend major staff meetings and brainstorming sessions and are encouraged to attend lunchtime seminars, events and training opportunities. We introduce interns to all aspects of our work and ensure that their input forms a relevant and valuable contribution to our ongoing projects.

We work across a wide range of policy areas, from youth leadership, practical learning and youth justice to community regeneration, health and wellbeing, and with a wide range of organisations using a comprehensive set of tools and approaches.

Current opportunities

Internships are available in the following areas of work:

Policy research: we carry out research in a wide range of areas, from understanding unmet psychological needs to looking at worklessness in particular communities and why some employability schemes are more successful than others. Intern tasks would include detailed desk-based research and literature reviews, and assisting in drafting articles, speeches and presentations.

Practical research: we pilot practical initiatives and advise on public sector innovation to accelerate local authority action on issues such as community engagement, sustainable communities, youth crime, and wellbeing. Tasks include liaising with external stakeholders and assisting action research fieldwork such as workshops, focus groups and interviews with residents and practitioners.

Social investment: we develop and support new ideas by turning them into sustainable organisations and enterprises. As well as our own ventures, we manage two social venture funds that support social entrepreneurs in health and youth leadership. Tasks include marketing, contributing to our selection processes and supporting entrepreneurs.

Social ventures: we start up and run new social ventures to meet unmet social needs. Current ventures include Maslaha, which aims to provide a greater understanding of Islam for Muslims and non-Muslims in exciting practical and creative ways; UpRising, which aims to open pathways to leadership for 19-25 year olds from all backgrounds, and Fastlaners, which provides intensive training workshops for unemployed 16-25 year olds. Tasks include research, fundraising, marketing, and running events.

Press and events: project launches, seminars and press activity are key to the Young Foundation's work and aims to influence public policy and generate public debate. We also hold a series of international events to enable the sharing of best practice and methods of social innovation. Tasks would include drafting press releases for publications, monitoring press coverage, helping to organise and run events and maintaining our large contacts databases.

How we support you

Two intern coordinators are in charge of overseeing all intern matters at the foundation, including interns’ pastoral care whilst working with us. Each intern is also assigned a member of staff who serves as their line manager for the duration of the internship.

Working week: Interns must be available for at least three days a week and for a minimum of 12 weeks.  The working day for interns is 10am to 5pm.

Expenses: We will reimburse interns' travel costs to and from work (within London) and provide £5 a day food allowance. We will also cover any other expenses incurred in the course of your work.

Job opportunities: Internships are not a prelude to employment. Interns are volunteers and do not need a work visa. Care is taken to ensure all recruitment issues are discussed transparently and interns are given equal opportunity to apply for any positions arising. Support is also offered with finding a job elsewhere.