Welcome to #YouthVoice News and Opportunities – a regular roundup from the world of youthvoice, participation and influence
This week: | Centre for Youth Voice partnership call | Children in Care Council message to Minister | DCMS Strategy consultation widens | Votes@16 Watch | National Youth Agency on the future of a National Youth Council for the UK | Global Youth Summit opportunity | YVH Recommended Reads plus lots of opportunities to ‘have your say’ / join advisory boards .. with thanks to Youth Opportunities Digest co-authored by Molly Taylor (check it out and subscribe!) YouthVoice News is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer.
YOUTHVOICE HEARD – NEWS
⚡Centre for Youth Voice – Lottery Fund to support third year of contract with £50k to new host following closure of previous provider. Expressions of Interest have been invited by 28th April from organisations willing and able to deliver the final year of this initiative – supporting practitioners groups, resource hub and young ambassadors. Young Voices Heard has been working to support this initiative since its inception and is willing to support a partnership proposal with interested parties. Contact James C direct for more information. The Centre for Youth Voice | YMCA George Williams College
⚡Coram Voice platforms care-experienced youthvoice to Minister A survey sample of 325 from 45 English Local Authorities want the Minister to prioritise 1/ Better Mental Health support 2/ Professionals listening to them in decisions about their lives, 3/ support to build better relationships. A National Voice send mental health message to Children’s Minister – Coram VoiceCoramVoice has been supporting the voice of children in care for 50 years.Home – Coram Voice
⚡DCMS Youth Strategy continues “We’re also still welcoming evidence and ideas for the National Youth Strategy, you can send this to youth@dcms.gov.uk. Update, timetable and details for further engagement. Follow link for full text and link to subscribe National Youth Strategy Engagement Update – DCMS Youth Newsletter “
- National Youth Strategy Engagement Update
- Key Deadlines
- Further Engagement
- Spotlight on young people engaging with Deliver You!
VOTES@16WATCH
.COMING UP
⚡NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL – INVITATION TO LAUNCH EVENT of Next Steps Report from the National Youth Agency. One year on from the closure of the British Youth Council – consultation report and recommendations webinar launch – 28th April 25 from 5.00 to 6.00 pm. “In September 2024, the National Youth Agency began investing resources into a UK-wide listening exercise and review to explore potential solutions for reinstating a sustainable and long-term future for national youth councils.” [a national youth council Ed] “Join us, together with youth participation expert and keynote speaker Professor Laura Lundy, to explore the recommendations outlined in our What the Future Holds – Future Recommendations Report. The event will highlight the value of youth voice and influence, rights based participation and partnership working. We’ll introduce you to the thematic learnings from the recent data capture and analysis – from Governance and Funding Models to Service Delivery and International Work – presenting the co-produced recommendations, which have been subject to scrutiny by various stakeholders, for consideration. CLICK – INVITATION REGISTRATION
⚡Global Youth Summit: Applications are now open for the fully funded Global Youth Summit 2025, taking place 20–24 October in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted by ATKV and Global Changemakers, this life-changing opportunity brings together young leaders aged 21–28 from around the world for a week of skills training, networking, and collaboration. Participants will receive round-trip airfare, accommodation, and meals, and join a global network of 1,200+ changemakers with access to exclusive funding opportunities. International applications are open from 1–25 April 2025.
RECOGNITION
⚡AWARDS OPEN – NOMINATE YOUTH VOICE! : Young Voices Heard BLOG by James Cathcart – Children Young People Now Awards 20th Anniversary – open for Nominations. James writes for CYPNow Magazine on his relationship with the awards and their young judges. Blog includes info on how to nominate. Why not nominate a #youthvoice project, young leader or youthvoice champion this year! Children Young People Now Awards 20th Anniversary – open for nominations! – YOUNG VOICES HEARD | CYP Now – The CYP Now Awards reach 20th milestone– Campaign4 Youth Recognition
HAVE YOUR SAY
⚡YOUTH VOICE CENSUS: The Youth Employment UK #youthvoice annual census is open to both young people aged 11- 30, AND employers, Govt policy people and Third Sector reps. Its one of the best annual capture of #youthvoice views by one of the most #youthvoice friendly organisations in the country. Check out previous findings on this link. The Youth Voice Census is your chance to share how you feel about school, work and life. It’s completely anonymous. Every year, thousands of people complete the survey, sharing their opinions to shape the future. Your answers will be used to help inform real-world change to make your experiences better through YEUK lobbying and the report is a great resource to all #youthvoice advocates and reps. Depending on the answers you give, the survey can take between 10 and 45 minutes to complete. You can start and stop as many times as you like, saving your progress as you go!- Have you say now. Youth Voice Census – Youth Employment UK Deadline 6th June
RECOMMENDED READS
⚡Adolescence: Young Lives, Young Futures in social media age 9/4/25 Olly Newton, Executive director of The Edge Foundation. Thought provoking piece prompted by TV programme ‘Adolescence’ underscores need to #youthvoice movement to be taken seriously in its own right. -“As young people increasingly turn to online influencers for guidance, the need for real-world support has never been greater but …too often in education, adults make decisions in policymaking echo chambers with little input from young people.” The education system needs change. It’s time to start listening – really listening – to young people’s lived experiences instead of assuming we have all the answers. ⚡Why I’m proud to be a charity case. 15/4/25 Sean Sinanan #youthvoice champion, speaker and former member of the Youth Parliament, tells his personal story of success despite adversity, paying tribute to those charities who supported him and questions the idea of success being ‘self-made’. “Modern narratives would have me believe this [success] makes me ‘self-made,’ but I disagree. The myth of the self-made individual is exactly that – a myth. Our outcomes are shaped by the people, institutions and interventions that support us. And often, the most crucial support comes in the form of charity.” A self-effacing approach from a clearly talented individual, it explores the relationship between orgs and individuals on their journey. #OnetoWatch ⚡FEATURE : Minister Stephanie Peacock MP promises to put young people at the ‘heard’ of decision-making. Was it a typo or did she say “heart”? (I written to DCMS to find out) But either way – being “heard” at the centre of decision making is so much more meaningful that at the “heart of” . She made the commitment as part of her speech to the UKYP Youth Select Committee report launch (Youth Violence and Social Media) Full text and link to report in this BLOGOPPORTUNITIES
⚡The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) is recruiting for its 11-17 Advisory Board on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) for children and young people with lived experience of children’s social care. The board will be formed of children and young people based in England for whom children’s social care (has played a role in their lives and who are passionate about making it better. They will play a vital role in informing proposals for reforms to children’s social care policy with the Department for Education (DfE), following the publication of Stable Homes, Built on Love. This includes, but is not limited to, children in care and care experienced young people, siblings of children in care, unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, children who have ever had a social worker, e.g. been a child in need or on a child protection plan, and children of foster carers. More info for c&yp 7. Info Sheet – Children and Young People 3. Easy Read Info Sheet 6. Info Sheet – Professionals Please encourage children and young people you work with to apply by filling in this short application form by 9th May 2025. Applications can be by video. If you would like this information in a different language, please let us know. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on participation@ncb.org.uk
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST – selection
Youth Opportunities 21rst April edition | LinkedIn “for young people, curated by young people” founded and Co-Authored by #youthvoice pioneer Molly Taylor check it out . Below is a selection of its opportunities that relate to #youthvoice but check out the full issue for lots more – and subscribe!
Advisory Boards
⚡NIHR Mental Health Mission – Midlands “Are you aged 16–25, based in the Midlands, and have personal or caring experience with mental health challenges? Join as a Youth Advisor to help shape mental health research. You’ll co-design projects, create youth-led events, share your voice through blogs or podcasts, and receive training, support, and payment for your involvement. Apply asap!” No deadline mentioned.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is inviting applications to join their Youth Council, a fantastic opportunity for young people aged 13–25 in the Northwest who are passionate about nature and the environment. As a member, you’ll meet bi-monthly in person, with additional online meetings and events in between, connecting with like-minded individuals while developing skills in environmental action and advocacy. To apply or ask questions, email Euan Norman at enorman@lancswt.org.uk with your answers to these three prompts: 1) Why are you interested in joining the LWT Youth Council? 2) Have you been involved in any environmental activities? 3) What do you hope to gain from being part of the council? Submit your application by the end of the month of April to get involved!
⚡Esmee Fairburn : Applications are now open to join the Involving Young People Collective (IYPC) 2025—a paid consultancy opportunity for young people aged 18–25, passionate about social change and youth voice in funding. As a consultant, you’ll help shape how the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funds projects across the UK, working alongside peers, HUDL, and Esmée staff. The role is flexible (3–10 hours/month), remote with in-person retreats, and paid at £22/hour. No prior experience is needed—just a commitment to equity, learning, and collaboration. Apply by 11:59 PM on Thursday, 24th April 2025.The Childnet Youth Advisory Board is a dynamic group of young people aged 13–17 from across the UK who are passionate about making the internet a safer and more positive space. As a board member, you’ll meet monthly online to share your experiences, shape Childnet’s campaigns and resources, and influence key conversations around online safety. Members have had the chance to speak at national events, co-create educational tools, engage with the tech industry, and even visit Parliament to advocate for change. If you want to help shape a better online world for young people. Apply by 5th May 2025 to join the Youth Advisory Board.
Earth Echo: Passionate about protecting our ocean planet? Apply to join the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council (YLC)—a global team of young environmental leaders (ages 15–22) who help shape EarthEcho International’s programs and lead campaigns to mobilize youth worldwide. As a YLC member, you’ll gain leadership skills, collaborate with peers and global partners, and contribute to the mission of a leading international environmental nonprofit. The 2025 application is open until May 5 and is available exclusively through GenSea, EarthEcho’s digital platform for young ocean advocates.
Youthwise: Applications are open for Youthwise 2025, the OECD’s Youth Advisory Board, from 15 April to 15 May. Established in 2021, Youthwise brings together dynamic individuals aged 18 to 30 from across OECD member countries to share youth perspectives on key global issues. Members engage directly with policymakers, participate in high-level discussions and workshops, and contribute to shaping inclusive policies on topics like climate, education, technology, social mobility, and more. The programme runs from July 2025 to June 2027, and applicants must be fluent in English, passionate about international debates, and committed to active participation. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard—Apply by 15 May!
⚡Join the Calico Youth Board Are you aged 16–25, based in the West Midlands, and passionate about creativity? Calico is looking for local young creatives to help co-design their future business plan and strategy. As a Youth Board member, you’ll attend six sessions across the year, contribute your ideas, and help shape the future of Calico. Sessions run from 6–8 PM on the following Thursdays: 15th May, 17th July, 18th September, 13th November, 15th January, and 19th March. You’ll receive a £50 bursary per session, totalling £300 for the year. To apply, complete the short form by 9am on Thursday 24th April.
⚡Northern Ireland : “Action Mental Health is calling on passionate young people aged 15–25 to join its Regional Youth Panel. This is a chance to amplify youth voices and drive positive change in mental health across Northern Ireland. As a panel member, you’ll share ideas, advocate for better support, lead awareness campaigns, organise community events, and make a real impact. If you’re ready to be heard and take action, apply now.” No deadline mentioned.
⚡Duke of Edinburgh – “Applications are now open for UK Youth Ambassadors at the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award This is a great opportunity for young people to build confidence, develop communication skills, make connections, and influence positive change. As an Ambassador, you’ll help amplify youth voices, celebrate achievements, and keep the DofE accessible and relevant. Apply now or share with someone who might be interested: https://bit.ly/3FIBBfR — Apply by 30 April 2025″.
Trustee positions
Interested in becoming a trustee? Only 3% of trustees are under the age of 30. Find under-30 friendly trustee boards through Young Trustees Movement