JLGB Virtual: Five Years On

This year marks five years since the UK first went into lockdown.

Live on air during our very first JLGB Virtual broadcast, young presenter Keely broke the news: the Prime Minister had just announced a national lockdown. It was a moment of uncertainty and anxiety — and yet, even then, something remarkable began.

In the face of crisis, JLGB Virtual became a lifeline. Night after night, our young leaders brought joy, connection and purpose into homes across the UK and beyond. From cooking to coding, mindfulness to daily acts of kindness, JLGB Virtual offered hope — and fun — when it was needed most.

With exclusive interviews from communal leaders, politicians, and global icons like Alan Menken, David Walliams, Jamie Lee Curtis and the late Bob Saget, the programme entertained the nation, empowered our youth, and built something truly special:

• Over 150 live shows
• More than 3 million views
• Thousands of young people inspired to keep learning, giving and growing

We are endlessly proud of the resilience, creativity and compassion shown by our leaders, young leaders and members. At a time when the world paused, they stepped up — and shone.

JLGB Virtual wasn’t just a programme. It was a movement. Its legacy lives on — in every young person who believed they could still make a difference, even from their bedroom.

Look back below at each episode, and watch another beacon of hope from our proud 130-year history, and witness how, even in lockdown, a generation found its voice…