Youth Voice News | 18th June : New My Life My Say campaign | Royal Recognition | Youth Opps..

Welcome to #YouthVoice News and Opportunities – a regular roundup from the world of youthvoice, participation and influence

This week:  | My Life My Says campaign launch | Royal Recognition / Youngest MBE ever! | Shetland Youth Voice ! |  plus lots of opportunities  / join advisory boards .. with thanks to  Youth Opportunities co-founded by Molly Taylor and Rorey Scriven | YouthVoice News is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer.

YOUTHVOICE HEARD – NEWS

⚡VOTES AT 16 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH by My Life My Say 23th June 2025

In the run up to the expected introduction of new legislation in Parliament, organisations are preparing for a summer of launches and autumn of campaigning to ensure that Parliament not only passes a Votes at 16 Act, but ensures that it includes measures and guidance on education and preparation in schools, youth services and social media. First up is #youthvoice charity My Life My Says youthled campaign to lower the voting age to 16 and “refresh democracy!”. This week CEO Dan Lawes posted on LinkedIn a teaser about a big campaign launch in Manchester, and the link through to tickets (some still available) revealed that its about Lowering the Voting Age.  He said “Join us as we make some history. I’m dead serious, cancel your plans, it’s going to be mega. Last tickets to our new campaign launch on 23rd June at The People’s History Museum 17:30-20:00. Young people, politician, influencers and media from across the U.K. are travelling to the city where it all begins… ”  Youth Voice News will be there with a media stand to listen and report the views of campaigners, champions and politicians. Tickets here: https://lnkd.in/ejTQVqKd

Comment: The Votes at 16 campaigns have been running for decades, and legislation has been introduced for devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. The prospect of equal votes across the UK is looking more likely following the new Governments pledge to do so. But … without a thorough programme of preparation, voter registration and education for  all young people about how democracy works, how to vote, and researching political parties and policies – some young people will remain unsure of whether they are ready to exercise the right to vote at a lower age that they do now. Voting turnout for 18-24 years remains below average. However, lowering the voting age and introduction citizenship education could educate future generations and increase turnout across all age groups over time.  ED/JC

YOUTH VOICE NEWS  – RECOGNITION

 ⚡  Shetland Youth Voice win the Participation and Y9uth Voice Award  at the National Youth Work Awards in Glasgow last week. The event, hosted by YouthLink Scotland and by youthvoice champion John Loughton saw youth work teams from across Scotland attend to celebrate the impact of youth work. Read more   Youth Voice group scoops national award | Shetland News

Comment “Its one our YouthVoiceNews aims is to host a national UK wide Youth Voice, Participation Awards event to recognise the positive and growing role of young leaders. Scotland is a great example and trailblazer for the UK, with several events celebrating a range of success – from enterprise to youth work. So often youthvoice shines in other categories of existing award schemes, or nominations are only open to orgs and individuals within an organisation  – so its refreshing when they can go on to shine on a national platform – with a great chance of mainstream media coverage. Ed/JC   

⚡Kings Birthday Honours – youthaction Three ‘youthvoice2action’ champions have been recognised for their community work in the Kings Birthday Honours list – all with MBEs! Congratulations to..

⭐ Carmela Chillery-Watson MBE (11) fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK (youngest ever MBE)
⭐ Daniel Swift MBE (28) founder of Concrete Youth (Hull) giving greater access to the arts/theatre, those with disabilities
⭐ Georgia Harrison MBE (30) campaigner against violence to women and girls.

I’ve added these three to the hashtag#KingsYouthHonoursList of 73 case studies of their inspiring community/charity work, of those aged up to 30 from 2012 across the UK. Details of their achievements and the full list are in the article below ⬇️ , shared as part of a campaign to inspire more nominations of young people for national recognition. Not only royal awards, but others like The Diana Award, #PrideofBritain #PointsofLight  The British Citizen Award.. so #NominateNow! ✍For more details on their achievements and to see the YVH Youth Honours List of 73 case studies from 2012-2025 go to our YouthVoiceNews special edition 

⚡Resource You can also get tips on Royal honours nominations on YVH Resource Page “How to Nominate for royal recognition” #Campaign4YouthRecognition

⚡Votes at 16 Watch – news from Jan to June can be found on the main Votesat16 Watch column on the main landing page of the http://www.YoungVoicesHeard.org.uk home page. YOUNG VOICES HEARD – CONSULTANCY, SHARING GOOD PRACTICE, SUPPORT SERVICES

⚡My Life My Say are launching their campaign on Votesat16 in Manchester on 23rd June. Details and campaign programme in next weeks Youth Voice News / Votes@16 Watch

⚡Make it 16? BLOG      ShoutOutUk platforms young bloggers and this week Victoria Wilson makes the case for citizenship/political education as a requirement and motivation to incentivise engagement using Malta as a case study of good practice. “The primary reason many young people don’t vote isn’t apathy; it’s confusion. They often lack a clear understanding of electoral systems, the positions of candidates, and the value of democratic participation. When I was 16, I was clueless about politics, not because I wasn’t capable or interested, but because I simply didn’t know where to begin with teaching myself something so broad and nuanced. Politics felt overwhelming and inaccessible. To remedy this, civics education should be made mandatory in schools in the UK. All students should receive impartial instruction on how the Government and Parliament function, how to engage in respectful debate, and how to evaluate the credibility of information. They should be guided toward trustworthy news sources, made aware of the dangers of online echo chambers and political extremism, and taught to critically analyse political manifestos.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES – Editors pick…Youth Opportunities 16th June edition | LinkedIn “for young people, curated by young people”. Below is just a selection of over 20 opportunities that relate to #youthvoice Advisory Board roles – but check out the full issue for lots more – and subscribe!

Advisory Boards -YVH pick..

Our YVH Star pick this week is RSPB Youth council recruitment as its an example of an organisation that has invested in youthvoice representation and participation at several levels, and this recruitment process has lots of information and Q&A sessions. Check out their whole approach !  

⚡RSPB Youth Council is looking for 16–24-year-olds passionate about nature to join its team..  Then get applying to be one of RSPB’s 5 new Youth Council members!  From marching alongside thousands of others to protect nature, driving change within the UK’s largest conservation charity, to delivering youth-focused projects, the roles of our Youth Council members are exciting and varied. Our Youth Council member Lisa says: “My time on the RSPB’s Youth Council has been truly life changing. From opportunities which have given me an invaluable insight into policy making, governance structures and politics to experiences which have helped me develop practical skills in event planning, campaigning and leadership. Asides from helping me make concrete steps towards a career in the environmental sector, it has been my renewed curiosity and love for nature, as well as the close connections with the other Youth Council members that has left the biggest mark on me from my time part of it.   I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a committed and inspiring group of young people who are just as determined to stand up for nature and youth voices.” – Lisa, Youth Council member, age 20, Cornwall . Apply here by 27th June: https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-us/how-we-are-run/rspb-youth-council  Want to learn more about the role of our Youth Council and how you can get involved? We’re hosting drop-in Q&A sessions, where you can meet the Youth Council, ask questions, and discover how you can be part of something exciting! To receive the link send us a message at youthcouncil@rspb.org.uk – Thursday 19th June: 16:30-17:00 or Wednesday 25th June: 12:30-13:00 

⚡Inclusion Scotland is recruiting Deaf and disabled people, along with unpaid carers, to join their People-Led Policy Panel (PLPP) to influence social care policies alongside the Scottish Government, empowering participants to develop new skills, build connections, and drive meaningful change in policy development. This is a mixed age group panel but applications are particularly welcome from “Young people or young carers aged 18-28 who use adult social care support or have supported someone who uses adult social care support from a young age.” Find out more here. Applications should be sent to info@inclusionscotland.org by Wednesday 16 July 2025.

⚡Action for Children is inviting passionate young people aged 13 to 25 from across the UK to apply for their Young Ambassadors Board, a youth-led group helping to shape the charity’s work and ensure young voices are heard at every level. As a Young Ambassador, you’ll attend monthly online meetings, contribute to key projects on issues like mental health, disability, family support, and care experience, and provide direct input to senior leaders and trustees. Members may also take part in events and campaigns, gaining valuable skills and experience along the way. The programme is free to join, with travel costs covered for any in-person activities. Deadline 30th June  contacting youthvoice@actionforchildren.org.uk.

⚡Children in Scotland is inviting young people aged 8 to 22 to join its youth advisory group, Changing Our World. This group plays a vital role in shaping the organisation’s work by sharing experiences and perspectives on issues that matter to children and young people. Members participate in regular meetings—both online and in person—collaborate on projects, contribute to policy development, and engage with decision-makers. Recent initiatives have included co-chairing the annual conference, developing a paper on education and learning, and meeting with government ministers to discuss youth health concerns. This is a voluntary role with no salary, but it offers valuable experience and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Applications are open until 14 July 2025.

⚡Fair Education Alliance is recruiting 12 new Youth Steering Group members to help campaign for a fairer education system. Applicants must be aged 14–21 on 1st August 2025, live in England, and be passionate about reducing educational inequality. No prior experience or qualifications are needed. Priority will be given to underrepresented young people, especially those from the care system, alternative provision, or from London, the North East, or South West. Apply by midnight on 22nd June 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/darz9b-H

⚡UNESCO SDG4 Youth & Student Network  16-30? Applications are open for the 2026–2027 , a global platform for young leaders passionate about advancing quality education (SDG4). Members, aged 16–30, will contribute to education policy, advocacy, and innovation, and serve as youth representatives on the SDG4 High-Level Steering Committee. The two-year term starts in January 2026, with onboarding from October 2025. Applicants must be active in a youth or student organisation related to education and free from conflicts of interest. Deadline: 10 July 2025 (midnight Paris time) Apply here

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

VoiceBox | By young people, for young people

“The international content platform by young people for young people. Create content on the topics you care about and get paid!” VoiceBox is an international youth-led content platform and social enterprise, whose mission is to amplify the voices of young people around the world. We feature a wide variety of topics and formats of content from people aged 13-25. Become a paid content creator

RESOURCES – Eds pick

For  other  YVH recommended resources go to the http://www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES, or browse back issues of #YouthVoiceNews