YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

#YouthVoiceNews | 25th Feb

Editor

“My biggest takeaway: Young people are not disengaged. They are over consulted and under believed. If participation only exists after decisions are drafted, it is not participation. It is endorsement seeking”. Roismi Rajakumar [Recommended Reads⬇️] .. and

Welcome to #YouthVoice News & Opportunities: your regular round up from the world of youthvoice, participation, and influence. #YouthVoiceNews is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer. Join 600 practitioners and young leaders – subscribe to get this free Newsletter via LinkedIn here. (& access back issues). And Tag Us #YouthVoiceNews or @YouthVoiceHeard so we can highlight your youthvoice

NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

⭐Scottish Youth Parliament – Report on Annual meeting with First Minister/Cabinet by SYP ‘shadow cabinet’ in takeover day! See their Newsletter for more information plus news of campaigns / events and forthcoming SYP elections. The newsletter also includes results of YP & Politics (Survey) Report ahead of Scottish Parlt election in May (inc. 16 & 17 yr-olds) While 72% said they know politics affects their lives, but two in five feel they can influence decisions – Full report here [SYP is a YVH ‘Recommended Best Practice’ model/Ed]

⭐DCMS Youth Team Newsletter/February 2026: Packed with news from the Youth Team about DCMS-supported initiatives and resources, and opportunities, including free webinar on Tuesday 3rd March, 13:00-14:00 to share more about the data and insights which informed the recently published National Youth Strategy and ‘State of the Nation’ report. This will be a virtual event on Google Meets. Sign up here. Read newsletter Here [Recommended read – this user-friendly series of newsletters marks a step up in quality communications from Govt in support of their Youth Matters strategy rollout – a good sign! Ed/JC Youth (Voice) Strategy Watch] 

⭐Centre for Youth Voice – making its mark “We’re just getting started!” (Newsletter February 2026): Another excellent newsletter from the Centre4YV – with news, free training dates and resources. Young Voices Heard have supported and worked with the Centre since it was first established and since its re-launch 4 months ago its had 6000 web visitors, 340+LinkedIn, and 1500 signup to free training. “For me, the real measure of our impact has been the quality of conversations we’ve been able to have as a Centre. And I want those conversations to keep growing, as they should. I want the Centre to be the first place people turn to when they’re looking to create opportunities for young people — the go-to place for anyone who wants to work genuinely WITH young people and make sure their voices are heard and valued. We’ve achieved a lot, but there’s so much more we want to do”. Djang0, Young Ambassador. Newsletter here.

⭐Youth Parliament launch V16 Education Petition to Parliament – “To fund high-quality, non-partisan political and citizenship teaching resources” Target 10,000 by August. Alex Norton, Youth MP and Chair of the UKYP V16 campaign said “The way we teach young people today will have a lasting effect on this country for decades to come and that is why we must act now to support students and teachers with political and citizenship education.” The Govt and the Electoral Commission have  guidance and funding to make been his happen in response to the V16 lobby. Read more / Sign Here

⭐Govt to introduce V16 guidance – Policy Paper accompanies legislation “Alongside the legislative measures [we will be].. empowering and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to participate will be vital part of successfully implementing this change. We are working closely across government and with the devolved governments and civil society to develop a package of additional measures focusing on practical democratic and civic education and engagement”.  Read the Policy Paper here

👀 Votesat16Watch:

👀 Giving 16-year-olds the vote is a policy Labour cannot U-turn on, William Mata (LBC Radio) “What do teenagers know about real life? Quite a lot, actually. How much power do they have to make a difference? Well, maybe a little bit more.”-  Read More⭐ [This weeks ‘Recommended Read’ Ed]

👀 Roadmap to V16 – published by Democracy Classroom –last year, and supported by the V16 network who hold monthly meetings – this ‘manifesto’ spells out the measure campaigners want the Government to support. Read here.

👀Votes at 16: the UK government has a fight on its hands – but are politicians all missing the point? Recommended Read Andy Mycock, Chief Policy Fellow at Leeds Uni, writing in The Conversation, reflects on the introduction of Representation of the People Bill.  Read more 

👀ShoutOutUK – APPG/Media&Political Literacy : V16 Joint Statement and Lowering Voting Age Policy Brief, and Evidence submission on APPGSchools inquiry on V16

👀For more V16 information & resources click  YoungVoicesHeard/Resources/Votesat16Watch

NEW RESEARCH

👀”Hurdles to the ballot box: Why voting is not a foregone conclusion for young people”] What can we learn from research in Germany? Jan Eichhorn introduces a new report  based on research of  18-29 yr-olds, with a number of practical recommendations. “Voting is often shaped not by a lack of motivation, but by unequal starting conditions and structural obstacles”. Link to introduction and report. You will need to translate but its worth it..Read more

👀Engaging young people /V16 Nottingham Uni et al/ Christopher Pich – introduces new study underway across UK to inform and influence young voter engagement. A total of 120 schools and colleges across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and all regions of England have been recruited as project partners by 12 Universities led by Nottingham, supported by Electoral Commission. More than 700 young people aged 14–16 are expected to participate between September 2025 and March 2026. – Emerging findings include: Strong awareness of proposals to lower the voting age/Limited knowledge of voter registration, polling stations and ID requirements/High intention to vote, but widespread apprehension about the responsibility/Difficulty distinguishing between political parties and candidates; many could not name their local MP/Heavy use of social media, but concerns about its reliability/Clear demand for impartial, school-based political education to build confidence and understanding. Read More

DONT MISS..

Young Voices Heard on Democracy – Youth Tracker survey results  10th March 11-12. new insights from year two of the Electoral Commissions ‘Youth Tracker’ survey, based on the views of 2,500 young people aged 11 to 25. Learn how education, family and information sources shape engagement, and explore practical ways to build young people’s knowledge, confidence and skills to participate in democracy. “Educators and young people are welcome to join this event – come along and be part of shaping the future of democratic participation”.  Register free here”

 

⭐Inspiration Youth Awards – Short List Announced/ Voting open now, deadline 8th March.  You will recognise many of the #youthvoice champions on the shortlist – get voting now! Read More  / Vote Here   |  The categories include:

➡️Recommended Read/Listen : Editor’s pick from #youthvoice influencers/commentators on LinkedIn/Links to Podcasts…

⭐Roismi Rajakumar  (nuerodivergent changemaker) on her experience of the Youth Summit (Fair Education Alliance) “My biggest takeaway: Young people are not disengaged. They are over consulted and under believed. If participation only exists after decisions are drafted, it is not participation. It is endorsement seeking. Grateful to have been in a space where challenge was welcomed and honesty was not treated as disruption”. Read More

⭐Jade Barnett, Founder/CEO of PowertoPrevial – on young peoples engagement with politics – “When there were conversations on lowering the voting age. I had to ask: lowering it for who? For the same young people who are already politically engaged? The ones who have access, exposure, and encouragement to understand the system? Because from where I stand, that still creates a limited pool of voices”….. “Engagement without feedback isn’t participation. It’s extraction. And our young people deserve better.” [A challenging must read! Ed]  Read More

OPPORTUNITIES to “mobilise your youthvoice”

[Note – all opps are based on info from hosting organisations. We endeavour to include accurate age range, dates and deadlines – but for up to date info check with the organisers]

YOUTH VOICE OPPORTUNITIES

#IWill Movement Ambassadors [Recommended for individuals who are not necessarily part of youth orgs – eg single issue campaigners, volunteers 10-25 , UK]  Through your social action, Ambassadors inspire other yp to join the movement, and collaborate with partners and orgs, playing a pivotal role in shaping and leading change. You are provided with exclusive opps to develop leadership skills, through the enhanced support offered by #iWill. Apply or nominate via the link below by 29th March, Apply or nominate here! You can also sign up to our Live Q&A event on 3 March at 4:30 PM to learn more/ hear from our current ambassadors: https://lnkd.in/eaxsDPiX /  book here

Seen and Heard Events: Young people shaped the National Youth Strategy. Now it’s time to shape what it looks like locally. Seen & Heard events are taking place across England, creating space for young people to come together with local decision-makers to turn Youth Matters into action on the ground. These youth-led sessions are facilitated by young people involved in the #iWill Movement and are open to young people aged 21 and under (up to 25 with SEND), with accompanying adults welcome. 👉 Find an event and sign up via our Youth Matters events page: https://lnkd.in/eSKk23zP    Read More 

⚡Youth Council UK –  electorate/delegates  Over 170+ founder members have been sent election packs on how to nominate candidates to the Youth Councils new interim Management Board. These will be voted on by young delegates (aged up to/inc 25) chosen / selected / elected by each founder member according to size.  If you want to be a delegate/voter then ask your youth organisation if they are mems, and how they will be selecting nominations/voting delegates asap. To find out if your org is a member/more info – contact ycuk@nya.org.uk

On Board Programme: Applications are now open for the OnBoard Programme,  🚨”Are you in the first ten years of your career and ready to make a difference by joining a board? If you’ve thought about becoming a board member but don’t know where to start, or you’ve recently joined a board and are still finding your feet, then the OnBoard Programme is designed for you. Read more APPLY NOW: www.eu.research.net/r/OBP6
DEADLINE: Wednesday 18th March 2026

⚡Another Way – (climate charity) recruiting an Advisory Board (paid £15/hr, quarterly meetings/mentor support): age 15-25? Step inside the running on an environmental charity, gain knowledge and transferable skills in governance and decision-making, be a voice for young people as we face the challenge of climate change? Deadline 27th Feb. Full details: 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 the Young Trustees Movement

If you have a #youthvoice opportunity coming up, drop us a line info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk

SUPPORTERS OPPORTUNITIES

⚡Centre for Youth Voice: Free Training and Events timetable

Multiple dates – Involving Young People in Services: Professor Kaz Stuart third of three training sessions around creating opportunities, supporting, and evaluating young people’s involvement in services.  March 10th – Evaluating Young People’s Involvement in Services

Multiple dates – Peer Research Toolkit Training: Based on the toolkit, we are delivering 90-minute training sessions on different aspects of the peer research approach, with presentations and Q&As.

RECORDINGS/SLIDES Based on the Peer Research Toolkit 2025 released in November, we have been running a series of free seminars since January. The first three recordings, and accompanying presentation slides, have now been put on the Centre for Youth Voice. Matthew Walsham, who put together the toolkit, goes through the beginning steps of a peer research project in these first three recordings: Watch the seminars here

  1. Peer Research Toolkit Training 1: Introduction to peer research
  2. Peer Research Toolkit Training 2: Setup, budgets, and scope
  3. Peer Research Training 3: Recruitment, training, and research question

The Centre for Youth Voice is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and delivered by the Network of Regional Youth Work Units. Note: Publications/Resources are on the opening page and scroll down :).

⚡The Politics Project – Exploring Elections free Session :  helps you support young people to engage confidently with upcoming elections in England. We’ll cover practical ways to start conversations about voting, how to discuss issues important to your area, and guide young people through registering to vote. With local elections taking place across the country in May 2026, this online training is ideal for youth practitioners preparing first-time voters for the elections ahead.  Please sign up to the session most convenient to you: Youth Practitioners:  |Tuesday 10th March, 11-12:30, sign up here 

⚡ RESOURCES:

⚡Democracy Classroom election resources: The @ElectoralCommUK, @SeneddWales and @childcomwales have just released some new resources to support schools to engage with the 2026 Senedd elections. To download, and to access a whole host of Wales-specific support, head DC’s Senedd Elections Hub: democracyclassroom.com/senedd-electio

⚡Involving Young People: A Toolkit for Peer Research- free, produced by the Centre for Youth Voice, 2025. Intro and link to download here. “Too often in the past, research in the youth sector has traditionally been done on young people, treating them as subjects to be studied. However, a growing consensus, across a range of sectors, recognises that young people are often the best-placed experts to investigate the issues affecting their lives”

⚡Government Guidance on Youth Voice In Government Policy Making reissued – Guidance developed by DCMS , co-created with young people/youth sector, to help policy officials involve young people aged 11 to 18 and sometimes up to the age of 25 (depending on the specific types of opportunity and group being engaged) in policymaking. Read more here. Getting ready to involve young people in policy, How to work with young people in policy, and  Methods for engaging young people.  Includes a call to be aware and listen to new issues on yp’s agenda, as well as informing and influencing the Govt’s.

⭐Embedding Youth Voice at the National Lottery Community Fund – Recommended Read and Listen (Post & Podcast!)  Joe Rich (Head of Youth Voice), Tia (former Youth Voice Advisor and now member of UK Fund Panel) and Loren member of Young People in the Lead Advisory Panel) and on how youthvoice has been embedded into the work of the National Lottery Fund – as advisors, decision-makers and partners in shaping change. Podcast co-produced by Be The Change – Interviewer @LilyMott.Recommended Read and Watch.

Spotlight: The National Lottery Community Fund: developing its approach to Youth Voice 28/1/26, “From decision-making to culture change” Youth Voice has shaped how the National Lottery Community Fund has operated for many years. Joe Rich,  Head of Youth Voice, shares their approach, why culture change matters as much as decision-making, and how young people influence funding, governance and ways of working.  Read More  [Recommended Read/Ed]

For other YVH recommended resources, go to the www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES.

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