You can help the John Smith Centre open doors to politics and public life for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Over the past ten years, we’ve created hundreds of practical opportunities that have helped young people step into roles in public service – we need your support to continue our work.
Your gift can help us offer current students opportunities such as the Parliamentary Internship Programme, reach school pupils in areas of high deprivation across Glasgow and the West of Scotland through our Schools Programme, engage with our local community through public events and provide a platform for fresh thinking on civic and democratic engagement through our research.
Our Impact
178
paid internships provided
"My internship was overwhelmingly positive. It felt like stepping into a world of real impact, where every task I handled mattered, not just to the team but to the constituents we served. From day one, I was immersed in meaningful work...these tasks gave me a sense of purpose and a chance to grow in ways I didn’t anticipate."
~ 2025 Parliamentary Intern
Find out more about our Parliamentary Internship Programme » "I am grateful to the John Smith Centre for creating a space that makes politics and political conversations so accessible for both students and the general public."
Surviving Politics event attendee, February 2026
From our home at the University of Glasgow, we hold inspiring in-person debates, events, and talks.
We want to make the public square more open, accessible and inclusive through regular free events.
Find out more » "It's reassuring for young people like ourselves to see that, behind the scenes, it isn't all just people shouting at each other, it's real progress being made."
~ School pupil taking part in our 2025-26 schools programme
In 2025, we launched a pilot of a brand-new schools programme, targeted at S5 & S6 pupils in areas of high deprivation within Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
Find out more »235 million people
reached globally
UK Youth Poll
Our 2025 UK Youth Poll reached a global audience of more than 235 million people, within the first two weeks of publication.
Find out more about our UK Youth Poll » 178
paid internships provided
"My internship was overwhelmingly positive. It felt like stepping into a world of real impact, where every task I handled mattered, not just to the team but to the constituents we served. From day one, I was immersed in meaningful work...these tasks gave me a sense of purpose and a chance to grow in ways I didn’t anticipate."
~ 2025 Parliamentary Intern
Find out more about our Parliamentary Internship Programme » "I am grateful to the John Smith Centre for creating a space that makes politics and political conversations so accessible for both students and the general public."
~ Surviving Politics event attendee, February 2026
From our home at the University of Glasgow, we hold inspiring in-person debates, events, and talks.
We want to make the public square more open, accessible and inclusive through regular free events.
Find out more » "It's reassuring for young people like ourselves to see that, behind the scenes, it isn't all just people shouting at each other, it's real progress being made."
~ School pupil taking part in our 2025-26 schools programme
In 2025, we launched a pilot of a brand-new schools programme, targeted at S5 & S6 pupils in areas of high deprivation within Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
Find out more »235 million people
reached globally
UK Youth Poll
Our 2025 UK Youth Poll reached a global audience of more than 235 million people, within the first two weeks of publication.
Find out more about our UK Youth Poll » 
Other ways to support us
Unable to make a donation?
Please join us in working towards our mission by supporting us in other ways:
Our current supporters
Thank you to Nationwide Building Society who are sponsoring our UK Youth Poll.
Previous supporters
Support the John Smith Centre today.
Click ‘Donate’ to be directed to a University of Glasgow giving page to make your gift in support of the John Smith Centre’s work.