Big Ideas

Big Ideas is an event for young people, young leaders, volunteers and workers to learn new skills, network, share ideas and celebrate the impact of youth work.

Young people and youth workers laugh, enjoying an ice-breaker involving giant coloured footballs
Big Ideas Event Challenge in action!

Get ready for Big Ideas 2026!

The biggest weekend in youth work is back from 29-30 August at the University of Stirling!

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings are not yet open but you can scroll down for pricing information.

What is Big Ideas?

A fantastic event for young people and youth workers, Big Ideas is all about engaging, inspiring and empowering young people and youth workers to take the lead in their local communities. This residential event comprises an action-packed programme of fun and engaging workshops for young people and a separate workshop list for workers to ignite new ideas and gain new experiences.

Join our celebration of young people and experience an event which is young people led and which showcases youth work’s talents and skills!

Who is it for?

For young people, young leaders, volunteers and workers to learn new skills, network and share ideas to celebrate the impact of youth work. Featuring a fantastic choice of over 20 workshops, to empower action through new ideas, tools and resources.

The Big Ideas Weekend is most suited for:

> Young People (12-17 yrs)
> Workers/Leaders (18 yrs+)

Young People aged (16+) can self-book onto the event.

Young people aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult youth worker/volunteer.

Youth Workers will follow their own training programme during the day, but will be responsible for their young people outwith the formal sessions and during joint evening sessions.

Pricing

To help you plan and budget for the event, we have prepared pricing options for members and non-members as follows:

Tickets

  • Friday & weekend member residential rate: 2 days, 2 nights – £200
  • Friday & weekend non-member residential rate: 2 Days , 2 nights – £240
  • Member weekend residential rate: 2 days, 1 night – £130
  • Non-member weekend residential rate: 2 days, 1 night – £170
  • Member day delegate rate (Saturday): Daytime only – £60
  • Non-member day delegate rate (Saturday): Daytime only – £75

Weekend residential delegate tickets include breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening entertainment.
Friday tickets include accommodation for Friday night and breakfast on Saturday morning but not dinner on Friday night.
Day delegate tickets include workshops on Saturday and lunch.

Big Ideas Zoom Briefings for Youth Workers

Whether you’re joining us for the first time or you’re a tried-and-true Big Ideas pro, we know you might have some questions as you get ready for the biggest two days in youth work. To help, we will be offering Zoom-based sessions of Big Ideas Briefings for Youth Workers, covering:

  • Information on the delegate pack 
  • Details for the programme  
  • The pre and post workshop schedule 
  • A guide to the areas we’ll be using at Stirling University 

These sessions will be arranged closer to the event and run at a range of times to suit.

All youth work staff, volunteers and support workers planning to attend Big Ideas are welcome to come along!

What to expect video

Do you get nervous or anxious about going to new places and events? Maybe you are just curious about Big Ideas Weekend and the Stirling University campus location.

We’ve put together a short walkthrough style film to show you some of what to expect when you come to Youth Scotland’s Big Ideas Event.

What to expect at Stirling University and Big Ideas

Stay in the loop!

Make sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest updates as we head towards the biggest weekend in youth work!