National Saturday Club

Society and Change

We are part of the National Saturday Club network for 13-16-year-olds. This is a free-to-attend club where you can learn new skills, discover talents and meet new people. You can also find out more about further education, higher education and rewarding careers.

What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? What changes do you want to see happen in Derby? Being a member of this Society & Change Club means that you will be at the centre of everything that it does, ensuring that you have the best time whilst being hands on as you make, curate, design, build, explore and develop your skills and have a platform for your voice. 

We will spend time helping you find your voice and developing a platform for self and collective expression. You will be encouraged to engage with lots of different topics in both traditional and innovative ways while working with our creative friends across the city. 

You will develop a range of new skills and interests and we will support you to express yourself. Our Club encourages you to think creatively, and to consider your place in the world and more locally, while working collaboratively, making friends and having a really fun time. It is all about how we can work together for brighter futures, recognising that you are the future leaders for society who can bring change! 

Sessions will predominantly take place at the University of Derby, Artcore, Baby People and Derby Theatre, Allestree Park & Chatsworth House  

Club members also take part in national events including Masterclasses with leading industry professionals, previous sessions have been run by Kid Karam and Naked Politics and Chatsworth House.  

National Saturday Club: Chatsworth Masterclass

Running as part of our civic agenda, the National Saturday Club was recently proud to partner with Chatsworth to run a masterclass for our club.

View National Saturday Club: Chatsworth Masterclass video transcript

National Saturday Club: A Masterclass from Kid Karam

Kid Karam

View National Saturday Club: A visit from Kid Karam video transcript

National Saturday Club 2025

The National Saturday Club network is aimed at 13-16-year-olds who have an interest in arts and creativity.

The free-to-attend club is being hosted by the University of Derby in 2025 for a third consecutive year and offers young people an opportunity to explore subjects they love, to build new skills, meet new people and to explore future study and career possibilities.

Highlights of the 2025 sessions have included an engaging masterclass with Naked Politics; a group that aims to tackle apathy young people feel towards mainstream politics, and to encourage them to be politically engaged.

Banseka Kayembe, Director and Founder of Naked Politics, said: “It was a really fantastic session at the University of Derby. The attendees demonstrated so much enthusiasm and bright ideas for how we can create a better world, and I left the event feeling inspired and hopeful”.

The masterclass consisted of activities around social movement theory, journalism and manifesto writing, all of which will feed into a proposed group piece for the 2025 National Saturday Club Summer Show.

Professor Keith McLay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Naked Politics to the University of Derby for this masterclass.

“The National Saturday Club events are always a huge success and this was no exception, offering the chance for young people to share knowledge, be creative and feel inspired by local communities and initiatives.”

Feedback from club members

"It really helped me to understand more about the role of a journalist"

"It was amazing, I really enjoyed the group activities”

"I liked discussing everything, every activity was fun!"

"I found the manifesto activity manifesto valuable, as I was able to write a manifesto about helping homeless people.”

The National Saturday Club forms part of the University’s public engagement strategy and aligns with its goals as a civic institution.

Find out more about the Civic University Agreement.

Club members will also get to show work at Somerset House, London in July 2026! This will involve a trip to London with family to see club members work on display and receive a certificate of participation from the National Team!  The Summer Show is a highlight of the year, where Saturday Clubs nationwide exhibit their work in a public exhibition – all for free! 

National Saturday Club group photo
National Saturday Club group photo

Phoebe (Club Member) - “I think that the club has definitely improved my confidence, especially in talking to people and making friends” 

Sonia (Club Member’s Parent) - “Phoebe has really come out of her shell since attending. It’s really made her see the world differently & she questions more about different subjects. She’s enjoyed learning about various career options & she’s seen University isn’t something to feel nervous about. She’s made some good friends & I think the adults that run it have been amazingly supportive role models” 

Join a Saturday Club

National Saturday Club group image outdoors
National Saturday Club group image outdoors

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