Welcome to #YouthVoice News and Opportunities – a regular roundup from the world of youthvoice, participation and influence
This week: | British Youth Citizen Awards – nominate now | Votesat16 Watch – Media reaction & Media literacy | UKYP Youth Select Committee gets Govt response | Centre4Youth Voice new home | Votesat16Watch media reaction |.. and this weeks selection of opportunities thanks to Youth Opportunities | YouthVoice News is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer.
YOUTHVOICE HEARD – NEWS
⚡British Youth Citizen Awards – Nominate Now! .. for those 18 and under – Individuals and one group award
The British Citizen Youth Award (or Peoples Honours) is still accepting nominations for people up to (inc) the age of 18, from all around the UK, that have made a significant difference in their communities and who have positively impacted society (fundraising, campaigning, awareness raising from lived experience. Nominations for the next BCyA round for 204/25 close at the end of August 2025. with the celebration event in November. “We had an amazing day, we all felt truly privileged to have been at such a wonderful event and to be honoured with the The BCyA (The Peoples Honours). Dame Mary Perkins, Patron of the BCyA said: “The British Citizen Youth Award recipients are very special individuals. These young people all go above and beyond for others, with selfless acts of kindness and community spirit, with no thought or expectation of praise or reward. This Medal ceremony is a great opportunity to shine a light on what they do and give them the recognition they so thoroughly deserve. They are the nation’s true unsung heroes and the rising stars of the future.” . The awards are sponsored and supported by: Specsavers, First News, Big Bus London and Tigerbond. (Note: They are a subset of the British Citizen Awards for older folk – details also on the same website) Comment: James Cathcart is an ambassador for the British Youth Citizen Awards and presents some of the awards at the celebrity hosted annual event at the Terrace room, House of Lords, by the Thames. “These are one of mu favourite awards and event celebrations – because, like others Ive been promoting as part of the Campaign4YouthRecognition, they only invite those honoured along with their families, to the event presentation, and some of the recipients are small children as well as teenagers. They are UK wide, and frequently covered by the local media because of the excellent work of the PR team. Every winner is entered on a Roll of Honour which appears on the website which also serves as an excellent source of case studies to inspire you to make a nomination. Mostly individual awards (Ive met Chair of Medway Youth Council one year, and a member of UK Youth Parlt on another) and there is one group award, which was won by #youthvoice champions YouthLeads in 2023! However most of those honoured – especially children – are for individual efforts (fundraising, campaigning) based on lived experience, and not only recognises them for their community endeavours, but encourages them to continue and for others to emulate their good deeds. So Nominate Now!” Ed Read more..
⚡’Youth Violence and Social Media’ UKYP Youth Select Committee Report – Govt response
The Government agreed in principle with a number of the Committee’s recommendations, including Ofcom reporting information on how they have taken action to ensure social media companies address online safety issues, and embedding social media literacy in teacher training. The Government also stressed the importance of including young people in policymaking. However, the Government rejected several of the Committee’s recommendations, including a publicly facing scorecard for social media companies, and did not commit to publish a new evaluation of the links between social media and violence, following the Committee highlighting concerns that evidence of such a link was unclear. Last year the Youth Select Committee took written and oral evidence on the topic of ‘The links between Social Media and Youth Violence’ which was published in a report in March 2025. The response and the reaction of the UKYP can be found on the Parliament website here. . and the Government report here – Youth Violence and Social Media.
⚡Youth Select Committee recruited for 2025 topic to be voted on by MYPs in 2025
A new Youth Select Committee for 2025/2026 has been formed from 12 members of the UK Youth Parliament. Members applied to be a part of the Select Committee, explaining why they thought they should be selected and outlined a topic they would like the committee to focus on for the 2025/26 iteration. Successful candidates were agreed by parliamentary staff and the National Youth Agency, and ensure that each nation and region of the UK is represented in the committee. In line with the long-standing commitment to being youth led, the YSC inquiry topic will be chosen by the MYP’s based on all the submissions and the views and issues of all their constituents as elected representatives of young people across the UK. [The select committee model was originally proposed and established by the British Youth Council in partnership with Parliament as an annual process between 2012-2024, as part of its Youth Voice programme with representatives from local youth councils, young mayors network, UKYP and the three devolved nations. The topic was chosen by BYC elected reps following a review of UKYP and BYC members annual votes to choose their priority campaign and members of the committee were originally selected by the previous years committee.. It became exclusively a UKYP membership following the closure of BYC in 2024, as part of the UKYP contract at the National Youth Agency and this is their first report. Current funding for UKYP is from DCMS until March 2026 and is under review. Ed ]
⚡YouthVoice in the Arts – Theatre Royal Bath launches youth council to advise on policy – The Stage “Youth voice is an integral part of youth engagement, and having them as part of the Theatre Royal Bath’s story allows for wider representation.”
Comment: “Not all youthvoice is in youth work settings, or even in other public services (health, justice, education, care system) but has been growing quietly in other civil society and corporate settings for many years, where Ive come across (and supported the development of them) in Policing, Heritage, Sport and the Arts (many will be familiar with the youth governance model at the Camden Roundhouse started up many years ago) This article highlights a good example of a new initiative in the Arts (theatres land), which I hope to feature increasingly in youthvoice news – as youth engagement in civil society AND cultural settings becomes the norm not the novelty in an emerging new age – the youth age. Times are changing and the I predict that the votes at 16 campaign will be succeeded by a “voice at 16 movement” , not just voting preparing our society for a more visible new wave of influencers, drivers and leaders between 16-24. James C/Ed]
⚡Centre for Youth Voice to be hosted by Network of Regional Youth Work Units
Following a tender process to the National Lottery – Partnership for London (one of the Networks members) published this statement about the new arrangement and priorities for the Centre.
Read more
These included continuing to develop the Youth Voice Observatory, a depository of good practice evidence; a new reflective framework – to be piloted in September; an annual youth voice survey to map what’s happening; and engagement with the sector to gather and share good practice resources. The previous Centre had advisory groups of Young Ambassadors, and Practitioners. All the network is England based, its expected its new UK wide remit will involve engaging with the nations, and some youth work units already do another recently announced Lottery funded projects – Amplify (see previous issue). Joe Rich, Head of Youth Voice at the National Lottery which awarded the grant “The ambition for Centre for Youth Voice has always been to remain an independent resource for all to access to understand what and how young people are telling us what they need. The new home will provide this along with new opportunities for exploring new ways of listening. We are excited to be working with the Regional Youth Work Units on this and want to thank YMCA George Williams College and Young Ambassadors for all their commitment and hard work to get it to this point.”
Comment “Youth Voice Heard had been lobbying funders to support such a ‘centre’ to address the gaps in the youth voice movement for many years and had welcomed and worked in partnership with the previous Centre’s managers hosted at the YMCA George Williams College. I’m delighted the grant is going to this network whose experience of youth voice, influence and participation is well-established across both youth work and democratic engagement sectors. They are delivery partners for UKYP and had previously supported the British Youth Council in England) . I look forward to collaborating on sharing good practice and promoting the revived centres outcomes across the UK. JC/ED
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⚡ Votesat16 Watch – media reaction – a roundup of less visible media reactions.
You will have probably seen the more obvious TV and Social Media reactions – on BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITN (with focus group and poll) so here is a round up a some written comments articles across the spectrum of for and against:
Votes at 16 is an important first step, but we must do more to fix voter turnout – Bright Green Throughout my time campaigning for votes at 16, I’ve always been adamant that one of the largest potential benefits of lowering the voting age is …
Why young Scots are all for lowering voting age – PressReader SNP activist Alex Gill said a “stronger youth voice” could convince the UK Government to pursue more progressive policies. The 22-year-old said …
A lower voting age must mean more political education – Schools Week Votes at 16 can be a positive widening of the franchise – but only if educators and ministers live up to what it demands of them, …
It’s a fine move to let 16 year olds vote in Britain. Now on to the UK’s core problems | The National There are votes at 16 in Scotland and Wales, but not right now for all UK general elections to Westminster. The hard truth is that most …
Voices: Readers deeply divided on lowering the voting age to 16 – from ‘only fair’ to ‘blatant … Should 16-year-olds be able to vote? How will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work? Related internet links. UK Youth Parliament.
You searched for votes 16 | Conservative Home
Opposing votes at 16 would cost Tories dear – The Times Opposing votes at 16 would cost Tories dear. Giving youngsters the vote won’t have much impact on elections, but they would punish any party that …
Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland … As a former youth worker and someone who has previously worked on the Votes at 16 campaign, I’m delighted to hear of the UK Government’s plans to …
Views from around the world PressReader.com – Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions Votes at 16 is a ‘common sense policy’ win – PressReader Votes at 16 is a ‘common sense policy’ win. 2025-07-23 -. Last week’s historic and momentous decision by the UK Government to grant the right to …
Educate teenagers on politics before letting them vote | Electoral reform | The Guardian
Thomas Borwick: Votes at 16 displays a glaring policy gap | Conservative Home Conservatives are now objecting to votes at 16 on the grounds that its unfair to vote at 16 if the candidate cannot be 16, and this Conservative Home blog makes the case for further reform! Is this the first step in their move towards backing votes at 16? Watch this space.
⚡In their own Words – Young Ambassadors from the Childrens Commissioners network react – MUST READ!Votes at 16: Reflections from my Young Ambassadors | Children’s Commissioner for England
EDITORIAL Votesat16 Watch
⚡Media literacy education for 16 and 17 year-old voters will need to include looking at what polls really tell us. Case study – the poll of 16 and 17 year-olds on lowering the voting age.
ITV commissioned a Merlin poll for ITN for their coverage of the Governments announcement of their plans for introducing Votesat16 last week. Its a good example of how we all need to look behind the headlines. It took place 6th 7th July (a couple of weeks before the announcement) and only a couple of stats were shared in the ITV coverage of the poll. The headline was that half (49% disagreed with being allowed to vote and 51% agreed. However, they weren’t given a ‘Dont Know’ option. If they had would majority have been clearer – either for or against? They also reported that “only 18% of the young people surveyed said they would definitely vote if there was an election tomorrow.” However this was in response of a question asking on a scale of 0-10 “how likely were you to vote?”. Using the measure the reporter used, that percentage choosing only score 10 – “definitely would” vote, those who choose zero (0) was only 13% ! So potentially up to 87% might ? Those who picked 6-10 in the most likely to vote totalled 55% ! The poll also bears comparison with other age groups to showing their independence of thought and choice, even from those aged 18-24. Something worthy of study by political parties. When asked which party they would vote for the poll showed 33% said they would vote Labour, followed by 20% who said they’d choose Reform, while 18% would vote Green, 12% Liberal Democrats and only 10% said they’d vote Conservative. However, when compared with a similar poll of the whole electorate (6th and 7th July) by YouGov this put Reform in the lead with 26% to Labours 24%, Cons 16%, LIbDem 15% Green 10% – a very different order. Similarly – the comparison with the 18-24% is very different – Lab again led with 33% but Green are in second with 25%, LibDems 21% Reform 9% and Cons 6%. (Note more recent polls will have changed the order again). The full survey is worth a look, asks about young people priority issues – and.
Doubtless there will be more polling of the views of this age group and now that they know will have the right to vote, their answers may change and when those wanting them to vote for them find out their priorities and respond. I would predict the numbers saying they will definitely vote may change in response to the world of the media and politics taking more of an interest in their views. Indeed political parties who have studies this poll will already looking at other sources of research into their views, and those of their reps of campaign groups . Youthvoice priorities include transport, education, mental health, and day to day topics like cost of living, vaping , smart phones, and address them – which in turn will have an impact on voting patterns. In responding, all of us in the electorate, despite our longer life-experience, will need to continue to fact check and delve deeper into what we ‘read in the papers’ and media. (How much life experience do you need to know that everyone has a different perspective and will want to ‘sell us’ their manifesto. Thats why we have so many different parties. But we know there are ‘global issues’ , ‘inherited policies’, ‘hopeful promises’ – something that can be explained to any first time voter – who will ultimately have the right to choose, to vote , according to whatever criteria and information that works for the them. Media literatcy will be an important part of the democracy education agenda and we even have an All Party Parliamentary Group on political and media literacy thats been working on it for years. The media itself will need to think about how it responds and reports about and for 16- and 17 years olds. (some Youth Correspondent specialists would help ) if we are to have informed debate and an education for all preparing us for a new age of democracy. James C/Ed
Votes at 16 Watch [FROM LAST WEEKS YOUTHVOICENEWS]
⚡Votes at 16 Watch – news since Jan 25 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
⚡Votes at 16 Watch : Government announces plans for implementation for Votes at 16 and electoral reform with Policy Paper – reaction
Government at last responds to 20 years of campaigning with announcement of a new Policy Paper “Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections” which details plans to deliver on their manifesto commitment to lowering the voting age. Opposition parties respond and new poll of 16 and 17 yr-olds shows still work to be done to educate and empower the new electorate. The Electoral Commissions sums up the new measures below and invites you to respond direct. More information from the Government here.
⚡The Electoral Commission guide and Invitation
Read on for more detail
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UK Parliament general elections
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Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales
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Local elections in England.
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Voter ID
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The list of voter ID accepted when voting at a polling station will be expanded to include:
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bank cards (in England, Scotland and Wales only)
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digital forms of ID
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Supporting anonymous electors
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The length of the anonymity period will be extended, meaning voters who register anonymously will no longer need to reapply annually.
Votes at 16 Resources
⚡Votes at 16 Roadmap to Votesat16: Democratic Life / Politics Project launch “Road-map to Votes at 16”
The new report: A Roadmap to Votes at 16, cross-sector vision for delivering Votes at 16 effectively across the UK, was launched in the House of Commons on 16th July. Its backed by over 40 organisations across the UK, including Young Voices Heard and its key recommendations include the:
Read more for recommendations and Ministers quotes
- Establishing a minimum entitlement to democratic education from primary through to post-16 settings.
- Supporting educators and youth practitioners with specialist training, resources and guidance.
- Modernising the curriculum to prepare young people to vote for the first time.
- Expanding opportunities for young people to engage directly with politicians and influence policy.
- Launching national youth-led communications campaigns to build a new culture of participation among first-time voters.”
- The Roadmap to Votes at 16 was funded by The UK Democracy Fund and coordinated by The Politics Project through the Democracy Classroom Network.
- ⚡Be Seen, Be Heard – Former Joint campaign with The Body Shop and UN Youth Office (in the UK was a partnership with the British Youth Council until its closure in 2024). Their research-backed strategy produced this which is shared as a potential resource – Report from The Body Shop/UN Youth Office.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES – Editors pick…Youth Opportunities 21st July edition | LinkedIn “for young people, curated by young people”. Below is just a selection of opportunities that relate to #youthvoice Advisory Board roles – but check out the full issue for lots more – and subscribe! and Find even more opportunities on the Youth Opportunities website → youthopportunities.co.uk
Advisory Boards -YVH picks..
⚡Scotland, young women aged 16-30 Young Women Demand is a two-year initiative (2025–2027), funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Foundation, focused on political literacy, leadership, and democratic engagement among young women and non-binary people in Scotland. The project is recruiting 12 volunteers (aged 16–30) to join a new steering group. Members will help co-design an awareness campaign ahead of the 2026 election, engage with stakeholders, and create opportunities for youth political engagement. The role includes online and in-person meetings, starting with an introductory session on 28 August 2025. Applications close at 11:59pm onThursday 7 August.
⚡Future Generations Panel – Friends Provident Foundation is seeking six young people (ages 18–25, UK-based) to join the Future Generations Panel for the 2026 Investing Olympics. The panel will help shape multi-million-pound investment decisions and ensure the needs of future generations are considered. Participants will be paid £200 per day for seven days of involvement between August 2025 and June 2026. No prior experience is required. Applications close at 9am on Monday 28 July 2025.
⚡YouthTheGap was founded by 22 year-old Kaia Allen-Bevan as asocial-impact, consultancy and CIC, reimagining the possibilities of the education system, and the curriculum. They are recruiting a Youth Advisory Board! They’re seeking passionate changemakers aged 16–25 to lead real youth power—shaping the organisation’s direction, co-creating programmes, and holding YouthTheGap accountable to its values. No experience needed—just vision, care, and collaboration. Issues include education justice, mental health, race equity, and more. Apply by July 30th.
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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
RESOURCES
Top Pick – Tips⚡ Twelve Myths About Participation. Laura Lundy has recently posted this handy 12 point deck resource on common misconceptions around youthvoice and participation.
Top Pick – Paid ⚡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
For other YVH recommended resources go to the http://www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES, or browse back issues of #YouthVoiceNews