Using AI Safely and Effectively

Practical AI training for youth organisations

AI is already being used across the voluntary sector - often quietly, informally, and sometimes without clear boundaries. For organisations working with young people, the stakes are higher - safeguarding, data protection, authenticity and trust cannot be afterthought.

This session is designed specifically for youth organisations who want to understand and use AI properly, not just experiment with it. This practical training will help you move from uncertainty (or panic Googling) to confident, ethical and effective use.

Led by Non-Profit Generative AI expert, Alex Reid, this training will explore:

• What generative AI is (and what it isn’t)
• How to write clearer prompts that improve outputs
• What should never be entered into AI tools
• How to maintain your organisation’s voice and integrity
• How to develop a simple AI policy and internal guardrails for responsible use

This session, valued over £20 per person, is completely free to Young H&F's voluntary sector members. To help us manage limited places and reduce no-shows, we ask for a £20 refundable deposit, returned upon attendance.

Using AI Safely & Effectively Agenda

Welcome, Context and Ground Rules

Setting expectations, explaining what AI can and can’t do, and framing ethical and safe use for charities working with young people.

Understanding Generative AI in a Charity Context

What generative AI is, common tools and where small charities are already using it

Prompting Foundations for Small Charities

Simple prompting frameworks to improve quality while keeping a human voice.

Topics include:

• Structuring prompts clearly
• Adding role/context (“act as…”)
• Reviewing outputs critically

Ethical Use, Safeguarding and Risk Awareness

Key considerations when working with young people and sensitive information:

• What not to put into AI tools
• Data protection and safeguarding awareness
• Maintaining authenticity in funding and communications

Practical Use Cases for Youth Organisations

Realistic ways small teams can use AI without replacing human expertise:

• Drafting funding ideas responsibly
• Improving accessibility of content
• Supporting planning and communications workflows

Building a Simple AI Use Policy (10–15 mins)

Helping organisations move from experimentation to safe implementation:

• Setting internal boundaries
• Keeping a “human in the loop”
• Encouraging ethical culture around AI

Wrap Up and Q&A

Recap of key principles, resources, and next steps.