YOUTHVOICE – BITESIZE 26/03 – 2/4/25
⚡NEWS
YOUTHVOICE HEARD
27/3 – Youth Select Committee Social media ban not practical or effective, teens say – BBC News is the key conclusions reported by the BBC in advance of the UK Youth Parliament launch of its report investigating links between social media and youth violence. 27/3 . Download full report and its 33 recommendations from the Parliamentary website: Youth Select Committee publishes report investigating links between social media and youth violence – UK Parliament Wania Eshaal Ahmad, the 15-year-old chair of the committee “The inquiry has made one thing clear, that social media companies should do more to protect young people from violent and harmful content. The Committee believes that a social media ban, like in Australia, is neither practical nor effective. Instead, tech companies must be held accountable.” The report now goes to the relevant Government departments for an official response
23/3 – Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly have come together to debate the arguments for and against lowering the age of voting to 16. Not everyone agrees! A range of views were heard at Stormont, and with 37 of the 51 members voting Aye and 14 voting no, the “Votes at 16′” motion was carried. Northern Ireland Youth Assembly: ‘Voting rights of 16-year-olds would make my peers want to engage’ – BBC News
March : Electoral Commission Young Voices on Democracy | Electoral Commission report (10th March) highlights the need for democratic education. [Especially relevant to prepare for lowering the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds, Ed]. “We asked over 2,500 young people aged 11 to 25, from across the UK, about their interest and confidence in voting, politics and democracy. Our latest report explores how young people feel about these topics, what’s being taught in schools, and the most used and trusted sources of information. It highlights the need for democratic education – because when young people have more information, they feel more empowered to take part.” Other Electoral Commission resources from the Youth Vote Week Local democracy activities and Mis and disinformation resources
Meet the Children’s Commissioners newest group of Young Ambassadors. 18th March :Recruited from 16 and 17 years olds across England. Chosen for their personal experiences and for their passion to try to change issues that really affect children and young people, they champion the views of England’s Children. Children’s Commissioner’s Ambassadors Programme | Children’s Commissioner for England
HAVE YOUR SAY
National Youth Strategy consultation (Age 10-21, or up to 25 with SEND)
DCMS Webinar slides and update as consultation gets underway. Govt Youth Strategy: Consultation / Youthvoice – Latest – YOUTH VOICE NEWS
Government Youth Team NEW ! Newsletter Issue 1 Signup Youth Newsletter – March 2025
Government Youth Strategy . POLL on Youth Strategy – Government youth consultation – including new poll on youth services and activities…. Government partners with young people to help develop new national youth strategy – GOV.UK
ON Smartphone use (age 18-24)
The Guardian – Young people: what rules around smartphone use should be put in place for children?
The Guardian want to hear from young people aged 18-24 about their childhood experiences with smartphones and social media, positive or negative. Responses can be anonymous. No deadline stated.
⚡LOCAL NEWS
Wales’ Youth ‘Must Have a Louder Voice in Shaping the Future’
Nearly 200 attend Bucks Youth Summit 2025 at Aylesbury | Bucks Free Press
Young Voices Heard ⚡OPPORTUNITIES
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST – check it out Youth Opportunities digest 14th March | LinkedIn– here are some of its #youthvoice opportunities
Apply now to become an #iwill Ambassador!
#iwill is a youth-led movement empowering young people (10-24) across the UK to drive social change. Each year, new Ambassadors are recruited to inspire others, collaborate with partners, and lead impactful social action. Ambassadors gain exclusive opportunities to develop leadership skills with dedicated support from #iwill. Apply by Monday, 14th April at 11:59 PM. For assistance, contact the #iwill Team at iwill@ukyouth.org.
⚡Advisory Boards
Kids are recruiting a Young Person’s Advisory Board for those with experience of the SEND system and services. It is for 14-23 years olds and the deadline is the 31st March 12pm. If you have questions or are interested, please contact takepart@kids.org.uk
Young Voices Heard – through Poetry/Essays –
The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2025 awards £3,000 for first place and £1,000 each for two runners-up for the best poetic response to the theme of Fear. Open to all nationalities, applicants must be 18+ and submit work in English. Entries can be one poem or a collection (max 500 words). Submissions are judged anonymously, and multiple prize entries are allowed. Apply by 1 April.
The Orwell Youth Prize 2025 is a writing competition for young people aged 13-18, encouraging critical thinking and political engagement through fiction and non-fiction writing. Open to all UK-based students, the prize welcomes essays, stories, and scripts responding to this year’s theme, “Who’s in Charge?”. Winners receive individual feedback, prizes, and publication opportunities. Free writing workshops are also available to support entrants. Apply by 24 April.
Transport for London Youth Panel
Transport for London youth panel is open for applications. Participants will develop their knowledge of transport and cities, leadership and presenting skills. They’ll also gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of TfL, with the opportunity to work with TfL teams and shape projects before they’re launched. Previous panels have worked on the Superloop bus network, cost of living crisis and the renaming of the London Overground lines. Applications close on Monday 31 March.
⚡Trustee positions
Interested in becoming a trustee? Only 3% of trustees are under the age of 30.
CSW is recruiting 3-5 new trustees who demonstrate a commitment to the Christian faith and to CSW’s vision of a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice. Apply by 20 March
I have a voice CIC is dedicated to empowering youth through education, advocacy, and grassroots campaigns to make politics more accessible and diverse. They are seeking passionate individuals to join their Board. Ideal candidates are committed to youth political engagement and bring expertise in nonprofit governance, education, or fundraising. If you’re ready to make a difference, please send a cover letter outlining your experience and interest to rebecca@ihaveavoice.org.uk by 23rd March
National Trust is looking for great people to help protect nature, beauty and history for the next generation, by standing for the 2025 election to the National Trust Council. Apply by 31 March
Mahdlo Youth Zone is looking for young trustees aged 20-25 who are passionate about empowering young people. As a trustee, you’ll help shape our vision, guide our strategic direction, and support our team in creating a safe, inspiring, and accessible space in Oldham. We welcome diverse skills and fresh perspectives—from finance to education—to help provide life-changing opportunities for our community. Open until further notice.
Find more under-30 friendly trustee boards through Young Trustees Movement
RESOURCES
Sport England – Listening to our young people Listening to young voices | Sport England Heres how guide Youth Voice Innovation Storybook
CASE STUDY – The European Youth Parliament (UK) is a 100% youth-led governed and volunteer run charity – no staff costs. income is from individual and school membership with cost of events pay-as-you-go. [Could this be an option worth exploring for a revived national youth council for the UK following the closure of the British Youth Council this time last year? Editor]
“It aims to provide non-formal education for young people on a wide range of political issues facing the UK and Europe”. Its programme of debates and events for those aged 11-25 across the UK are organised by young volunteers who are elected by its individual members to an Executive Committee for one year, led by a President. Charity Trustees are all aged 16-25. Individual young people join for £10.oo and Schools bring ‘delegations’ to debates. They run 20 events a year (across UK and as part of European Youth Parliament) Check it out. Home | EYPUK