Apply to be a Chief Discovery Officer

We are recruiting Chief Discovery Officers to lead our campaign — by young people, for young people. We’re looking for 11 to 18-year-olds ready to capture the real Islington through creative video content that celebrates its hidden gems, local hangouts, sports, music, fashion, tech, food, and more.

What you will do

Over the August holidays, winners will: 

• take on weekly creative challenges - filming your Islington experiences with a new assignment each week
• work with a professional communications team to develop, polish, and share your content
• be seen by a big audience - have your work featured on Islington Council’s social media and digital platforms.

What you could get

• Professional opportunities, with the chance to see your content published and get hands-on digital and communications experience.
• Shopping vouchers up to £250.
• Exclusive Arsenal merchandise and an Emirates Stadium tour.

How to apply

Fill in the entry form and upload your 30-second video clip showing what you love about Islington and telling us why you want to be a Chief Discovery Officer.

Include in the clip your:

• name
• age.

Then just get out there and show us what makes Islington special for you by sharing a slice of your everyday life.

Deadline for applications is Friday 25 July 2025. Winning candidates will be announced week commencing 28 July.

Apply now

What we're looking for

For inspiration, here’s some ideas for your video clip.

• Take us on a mini tour of your go-to places that make your day-to-day life special.
• Give a quick glimpse of what makes Islington feel like home - the lively streets, community spirit, and hidden corners only locals know.
• Imagine welcoming a friend visiting Islington for the first time. Show us where you’d take them and the must-see experiences that make the borough so great.
• Explain what makes you proud to live, work, or study in the borough.
• Share a unique experience or local event that really captures the energy and culture of Islington.
• Showcase a hidden gem or off-the-beaten-path spot that others might overlook but means a lot to you.

Your video doesn’t need to be super polished - we just want to hear about you and why you want to discover Islington this summer. 

Get out there and show us what makes Islington so great!

Terms and conditions

Eligibility

• The competition is open to young people aged 11 to 18 who live, work or study in Islington.
• Entrants under 16 must have the consent of a parent or guardian.
• Only one entry per person.

Content guidelines

• Videos must be original and created by the entrant. 
• Only include people who are aware of and have consented to the competition terms. 
• Do not include identifiable people without their permission.
• Content must not contain offensive, inappropriate or unlawful material. 

Judging and selection

A panel from Islington Council’s communications team will judge entries, along with guest judges. Judging will be based on: 

• creativity and originality
• relevance to the theme – celebrating Islington 

We will choose up to four winners to become Chief Discovery Officers - we will announce winners the week commencing 28 July 2025.

Rewards

Winners will receive:

• up to £250 in shopping vouchers
• exclusive Arsenal merchandise and a stadium tour
• opportunities to work with a professional comms team and gain content promotion on council channels.

Use of entries

• By entering, you grant Islington Council a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, and share your video on its digital and social media platforms. 
• Your content may be edited for clarity or length before publication.
• Selected videos may be used for up to 12 months from the date of submission, unless otherwise agreed.

Data protection

• Personal data will be collected solely for the purpose of administering the competition.
• Data will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and Islington Council’s privacy policy. 

General

• Islington Council reserves the right to amend or cancel the competition at any time. 
• The council is not responsible for entries not received due to technical issues.
• By entering, you agree to these terms and conditions. 

Promotion period

• The competition will run from Monday 30 June until Friday 25 July 2025.
• Promotion will take place on Islington Council’s website, social media, in schools, youth centres and through other community partners. 

Handling submissions

• All entries will be reviewed by the council’s communications team to ensure they meet the guidelines. `
• Videos that meet the criteria may be shortlisted for judging and/or promotional use. 

Contacting entrants

Entrants (or their parents/guardians if under 16) will be asked to provide contact details. These details will be used to:

• notify winners
• coordinate prize distribution and campaign participation.

Safeguarding and consent

• All participants under 16 must have parental/guardian consent to enter. 
• No videos will be published without appropriate consent (first provided on the online entry form).
• The council will follow its safeguarding and data protection policies throughout the process.