A ‘National Youth Council’ Review Pt 1 .. Have your say

“I welcome the fact the NYA, a traditional ally and supporter of the idea of an independent youth-led youth council, has taken the initiative to “make space” for this debate and hope it spans a wide range of stakeholders. Although #youthvoice ‘vehicles’ continue to thrive in the nations, regions, local authorities, and some Government departments, we still need a joined up and mandated national voice body to co-ordinate, amplify and cut through to the top tables internationally and domestically (eg cabinet level). Who should its members be? Will its leaders still be elected by members and more visible to the public? How will its governance and funding be secure? How will its young leaders be independent of ‘older’ influence? How will its representations be listened to and responded to as a matter of course? I would also call for parallel debate and review of what I would call the ‘the national listen’ – a government duty to consult and listen with embedded means to do so.  Referencing the popular Lundy 4 step model, the process of  ‘making space to empower youthvoice’, must be matched with a commitment by their audiences to listen, be influenced’.  And I would add – give feedback – You Said We Did.

In some models this is been referred to as ‘meaningful dialogue’, a partnership, concord or contract between those with ‘something to say’ and those ‘willing to listen’ for mutual benefit. The National Youth Council  Review represents the beginning of an opportunity for young leaders, stakeholders and supporters, and indeed decision-makers, to bring all of their accumulated experience and expertise bear on this agenda. Its an opportunity to build back better a model that is representative, inclusive, independent, recognised and sustainable, that commands broad support and welcomed by Government and the public.”

James Cathcart, Dir YVH and a former CEO of BYC.

NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL REVIEW – Have Your Say.

Coordinated by NYA’s Deputy Director Esther Horner-Aird, the review will run from Oct 24 to March 25 and will produce a report and recommendations on next steps and funding to support them.  You can sign up to have your say here or see below for opporunities in Esther’s October update.  This initiative follows NYAs successful tender to continue to coordinate of the UK Youth Parliament for DCMS; associated purchase of BYC assets, and ongoing support of their international representatives to Europe and the Commonwealth (UK Young Ambassadors). You can read NYAs statements and information

NYA Deputy Director Esther Horner-Aird shared this update in early October … 

“It’s been nearly six weeks [beginning of Sept 24] since our last update regarding the UK-wide listening exercise into the closure of the British Youth Council and its assets. We have been overwhelmed with all the support and passion we have seen for this piece of work, and we are excited to continue listening and collaborating to produce a detailed recommendation report in 2025.

To recap, in May 2024, the National Youth Agency (NYA) worked with liquidators to acquire any remaining assets previously owned or delivered by the British Youth Council. This decision was supported across the youth sector in a collective effort to preserve the legacy of the British Youth Council and its services.

By September 2024, the NYA Board of Trustees approved a proposal to appoint a member of our Senior Leadership Team to lead a UK-wide listening exercise, with the goal of producing a recommendations report in early 2025. This report aims to secure funding for the ongoing review and development of this work.

Esther Horner-Aird, the Deputy Director of Youth Work at the NYA, has been leading this project . Working alongside colleagues, she has facilitated discussions, conducted desk research, and helped shape more formal methodologies for research and youth participation.

We are grateful to all those who have engaged with and supported Esther thus far, to ensure that we consult all those with a vested interest in youth voice in this process”.

The project is structured into two phases:

• Phase 1 (September – December 2024): Research and data collection
• Phase 2 (January – March 2025): Data analysis, recommendations report and funding proposal

During Phase 1, Esther will oversee three main research channels:

• Online Consultation: Launching during Youth Work Week 2024 and remaining open for 8 weeks. This consultation will feature a mix of open and closed questions, designed with input from sector colleagues.
• Youth-Led Focus Groups: Recruitment will take place throughout October, and the groups will co-produce discussion activities around themes. Training will be provided for young volunteer facilitators. These focus groups will be delivered locally, with data collected through their activities.
• 1:1 and Group Discussion Sessions: Ongoing engagement with various stakeholders.

For Phase 2, we have secured the support of colleagues across the UK to contribute to:

• Analysing data from the three research strands
• Producing a comprehensive recommendations report
• Creating a business proposal for potential funders and commissioners

What’s Next?

We’re calling on youth workers and young people with experience in youth voice and influence to participate in upcoming sessions:

• October 23rd: An online co-production session for young people and their support workers to help create activities for Volunteer Young Focus Group Facilitators to deliver in their regions.
• October 28th: An online session to present the finalised activities to the working group and provide training for Volunteer Young Focus Group Facilitators. The training will cover the skills needed to run focus groups, collect data, and submit findings.

These sessions are open to young people (and their support workers) who are willing to volunteer their time to research the value and future of a National Youth Council, the Young Ambassador programme, and the role of UK youth voice and influence.

The project is progressing well, and we are committed to maintaining the collaborative momentum as we move forward.

If you would like to register for the online opportunities and can commit to facilitating the focus group activities in your localities/regions or if you would like further information about the consultation process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Esther directly at estherh@nya.org.uk“.

WATCH THIS SPACE

“Young Voices Heard” is working on a Options Paper to explore difference governance models for a refreshed national youth council. The UK was one of, if not the first, national youth councils, set up in 1948. It was originally a Government (FCO) supported international delegation of representatives nominated by the nations national youth organisations, from NUS, uniformed groups and faith organisations. It became an independent charity in the sixties and its membership base continued to be organisations, but now included representation of a growing number of local youth council network, and other local voluntary sector groups. Whilst individual membership was considered and it was challenged with the establishment of the UK Youth Parliament network and Young Mayors locally elected models, which it eventually absorbed. Its final governance model was as an incorporated charity who Board was no longer elected from its members, but by its members, and for the last few years, some young trustees were appointed.  There are other models of governance and organisation of representative voice to explore- ranging from a semi-autonomous body like the Children’s Commissioner, or a Cooperative model, or a social enterprise, and some who have Royal Charter approval. The last Government commissioned work (2008-2010) into youth engagement – The Youth Citizenship Commission – (which included Votes at 16) recommended that the UK Youth Parliament be managed and funded by Parliament on a sustainable basis! Which model will allow sustainability, be youthled, independent, inclusive and officially recognised by Government nationally, and in the nations? Join the debate!