Welcome to #YouthVoice News and Opportunities – a regular roundup from the world of youthvoice, participation and influence
This week: |Major poll of 16-17 year olds views Votes at 16 | Voting Intentions | Mental Health | Legacy of Lockdown | School | Vaping Smoking Drinking | Screentime, Social Media | Online Safety |AI | Feminism/Gender Equality | Pride/Patriotism | Climate Change | Boats crossing the Channel | + Votesat16 watch | Youth Opportunities | YouthVoice News is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer.
YOUTHVOICE HEARD – NEWS
⚡NEW Youth Voice Poll/Research : Views – of 16 an 17 year olds on:
Votes at 16 | Voting Intentions | Mental Health and WellBeing | Legacy of Lockdown | School | Vaping Smoking Drinking | Screentime, Social Media | Online Safety |AI | Feminism and Gender Equality | Pride and Patriotism | Monarchy | Climate Change | Boats crossing the Channel |…. and how their priorities diverge on the Big Issues compared with the wider public ….
A mine of information reveals some significant new trends as 16-17 absorb the news that they will be future voters. The mainstream media is at last turning its attention to the views of 16 and 17 years olds. This broad ranging survey is a mine of information on a wide range of subjects – and critically highlights the different views they hold to 18-24 year olds – (something we must all take note of when referring to “young people” as is they were all the same across the age bands). I predict we will see more documentaries focusing on these issues. Are youthvoice orgs ready?
Read the full report HERE
- Votes at 16: “Most 16-17 year olds (59%) support lowering the voting age, but split on whether they feel informed enough to vote. 24% undecided or dont know. Only 15% oppose – in marked contrast to other newspaper polling in July.
- Voting Intention – 33% support Labour, 20% support Reform UK
- Mental Health/Wellbeing – Most young people are worried about exams, money and finding a job
- Health – more likely to Vape than Smoke
- Screentime – 43% spend more than 6 hours a day on their phone
- Online Safety – most think it will be easy to bypass measures, and only 1/3 think it will make them safer online
- Pride – more likely than 18+ to be proud of their British identity
- War – most would not enlist to fight in a war – but a third of boys would
- Climate Change – majority still concerned, higher than any other age group, and support net zero target
Source and Full Research results and tables: Sunday Times 16-17s Sample 1000, GB (Eng/Scot/Wales) 15-20th August 25
⚡Votesat16Watch – new poll reveals most 16-17 year olds (59%) support lowering the voting age, but split on whether they feel informed enough to vote.
Comment: Clearly in line with what campaigners have been calling for – political/democracy education in schools. Once this is announced and confirmed I suspect we shall see an increase in support, particularly the 24% undecided either way. JC/Ed
⚡Votesat16 Minister?
Votesat16 still not over the line yet, and the next Kings Speech isn’t due until March 2026. So lobbying/campaigning will need to continue during 2026, to ensure the legislation and delivery are the best they can be. But the Government is unpopular and under pressure. Are current high-profile campaigns funded beyond March 2026 and at risk of peaking too soon? It’s sure to be a topic driven by youthvoice at Party conferences.
⚡Votes at 16 Watch – awaiting confirmation of new Ministers responsibilities
Although Miatta Fahnbulleh MP has been appointed to the role formerly held by the Minister leading on Votesat16 (Rushanara Ali MP – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governmen) on 6 September 2025 the MHCLG website hasnt listed her responsibilities yet. I’ve written to clarify whether she will be taking the lead on Votesat16 within the team.
This is what she said about Votes at 16 on Facebook, following the July announcement that legislation would be introduced.
However, officials will still be working on details in preparation for a Spring King’s Speech – and then it will be up to the Leader of the House/Parliament to schedule the first reading. There will be opportunities for amendments (and opposition) during Committee stages in both the Commons and the Lords. So YES, campaigners need to keep engaged – seek early meetings with the new Minister – to make sure the Government doesn’t get cold feet. They might, however, want to change their focus to ensuring votes at 16 meets all their expectations and recommendations in detail – such as accompanying measures of auto-voter registration, and education in schools – and to lobby MPs to ensure the legislation reflects this, and if not, that they lobby MPs and submit evidence to support amendments to the legislation during the parliamentary session commencing April 2026 onwards.
[So any campaigns that are funded this financial year ending March 26, will need to seek an extension to their campaign plans and budgets to ensure young people and supporters continue their work. It’s not over til its over. JC/Ed.
⚡New Blog – Mixed views on impact at the next General Election – Government plans to lower voting age across the UK – Nouse
Coming Up
⚡Deadline 19th September -Kings Birthday (2026) Honours nominations – See YouthVoiceNews19thSept for details and support on how to nominate so that we can boost the number of youngleaders/youthvoice champions on the Youth Honours List.
⚡Centre for Youth Voice Relaunch 30th Sept – invite The Centre For Youth Voice will relaunch on 30th September 4 -6 pm. Details and invitation Here. This event will be hosted by Young Ambassadors and the Network of Regional Youth Work Units. The event will launch the new website, profile the training offers and resources that will be available for practitioners and young people, as well as discuss areas for future development. (see YouthVoiceNews 18th Aug for more info.)
⚡NYA call for organisations to register an “Expression of Interest to learn more about becoming an organisational member of the new National Youth Council” (to replace the British Youth Council) “… to ‘organisations’ across the UK to register an Expression of Interest to learning more about becoming an organisational member of the new National Youth Council. If your organisation is passionate about supporting young people to shape national decision-making, we encourage you to register your interest HERE and be a part of this exciting new chapter.”
⚡We’ve written to those leading this process for some more information and are still waiting for an update … but you can use the Register of Int form to at least get on their mailing list and use the space in the short form to ask any questions.
⚡18th Oct: Next Gen Conference (UK youth in democracy) for those aged 16-30/ Min of Sound https://lnkd.in/e5g6SefD
⚡November: UK Youth Parliament Annual Sitting, House of Commons – UKYP members only but broadcast on ParltTV
If you have an event open to all, or of significant interest – let us know.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES
Our pick #youthvoice opportunities. For a broader range of early career/skillbuilding roles go to our friends website Youth Opportunities | Early Career and Skill Building roles in the UK If you have a #youthvoice opportunity coming up drop us a line info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
Steering Group/Advisory Boards
⚡The Politics Project: “We are looking for enthusiastic young people aged 14 to 20 to join The Politics Project’s Steering Group, a diverse group of young people from across the UK who support us in effectively engaging young people in politics and democracy. The YSG will help us to ensure we are delivering what young people want and need to achieve that aim. No prior experience or qualifications are needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved:
📖 Help us shape current programmes and resources.🤙 Develop ways of engaging young people in the work of TPP.
📈 Take responsibility for the meetings and strategic direction of the YSG.⭐️ Act as ambassadors for TPP at events.
➡️ Applications are open until 11:59pm on Sunday 28th September 2025. Young people can apply by writing, or by sending in a short video or voice note.🔗 Click here to apply: https://lnkd.in/diCTpM6v
⚡EY Foundation (funder) Youth Advisory Board: 16-25 – England/Scotland? The YAB is a group of 12 young people, aged 16-25 from across England and Scotland who act as advisors to the EY Foundation. All expenses paid. YAB members sit on the board for two years and are responsible for bringing a young person’s perspective into every area of the EY Foundation’s work. As ‘Advocates for Change’, YVF members will be proactive in supporting our organisation to create systemic change for young people from low, addressing youth unemployment issues and social mobility. As part of their role YAB members: Attend quarterly YAB meetings to provide comments and feedback on key plans before they are taken to the Board of Trustees; Work with the EY Foundation team in a variety of ways including attending meetings, sharing feedback and ideas, contributing to social media or speaking at events; Have the opportunity to work on their own projects related to the EY Foundation. Apply to join our Youth Voice Forum 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMG9SqEi Head to our website to find our recruitment handbook, information on eligibility, and how to sign up to our information sessions 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGD6YTWC Deadline 26th Sept YVH quality pick – “one of the most thorough role recruitment/specs I’ve come across/JC/Ed”
UNICEF Youth Advisory Board 14-18? UNICEF UK are seeking applications from 14 to 18-year-olds who can commit to a full two-year term. Full Details HERE. The group works as a team via video calls and in-person meetings. Members engage with UNICEF UK’s efforts by speaking out for children’s rights and sharing their insights and new ideas. They also help spread awareness through their networks, enabling other young people to better understand our work. Applications close 10pm 21 September: a process co-created with our current YAB members.
⚡YoungMinds Youth Panel offers young people the chance to shape the charity’s work by providing insight on strategy, safeguarding, fundraising, and organisational decisions. Panel members help guide the future of YoungMinds while gaining experience in the ‘behind the scenes’ of a charity. Apply by 29th September.
⚡Join the Electoral Commission’s Youth Voice Network for Scotland and help shape the future of democracy. If you’re aged 12 to 18, live in Scotland and are keen to find out more then download our information sheet. You’ll meet (online and in-person) around four times a year to share views, create resources, and contribute to national campaigns on voting. Recruitment is open from June to September 2025. Learn more and apply here. by end of Sept 25
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
For other YVH recommended resources go to the http://www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES, or click #YouthVoiceNews – Recommending Reads and Resources for a summary of what’s on the website.