“The question isn’t whether young people should be involved – it’s whether we’re actually willing to build systems where their influence counts…” Josh Harsant on local youth voice, is this week’s Recommended Read”⬇️.. plus
- ⭐New Self-Assessment Tool Launch – Centre4YouthVoice, book asap
- ⭐New E-Learning model using the Lundy Model.
- ⭐Youth Select Committee (Youth Parlt) PSHE report. Parliament debate?
- ⭐Children Young People Now Awards – nominate a youthvoice champion/partnership!
- ⭐Voter Registration campaign – Give a X?
- ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2: on student loans, social media ban
- 👀Recommended Reads: Josh Harsant, Anja Neundorf
- 👀Newsletters roundup – Centre4YouthVoice, DCSM, MyLifeMySay
- 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters
- 👀Free Training & Resources
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
YouthVoice self-assessment framework launch – 14th April, 2.00-3.30 pm: The Centre for Youth Voice is launching a new self-assessment framework (free) for practitioners and young people to use together to reflect on their youth voice practice. The framework covers the full range of approaches to youth voice — from youth consultation and co-production, to youth-led governance, activism, and social action. Read more and book via the Centre’s Newsletter. plus..
New E‑Learning Module: Participation and Young People’s Voice using the Lundy Model: Youth Focus North West (YFNW) has launched a new Lundy Model e‑learning course, developed in partnership with Lancashire County Council, Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB, the University of Central Lancashire, and the Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership. The e‑learning provides a strong foundation ahead of YFNW’s in‑person Lundy Model and Youth Participation Training, which offers deeper learning, practical tools, and opportunities for peer support. Read more in the Centre4YouthVoice Newsletter.
Youth Select Committee (YSC) Report on PSHE – Will MPs debate? Bobby Forbes MYP (17), Chair of the committee, met with Julie Minns MP to discuss the YSC’s work and its latest inquiry into PSHE education across the UK. She asked the leader of the House of Commons how its recommendations, which include calling on the Government, to address the postcode lottery of PSHE teaching, could be debated by all MPs. Watch the video of her question and the leader’s response here. (He suggested the MP apply for a Westminster Hall debate). More info & report here.
Give an X is back – Voter registration for Local and Devolved Elections 7th May: Sign up for campaign info/updates.. The Give an X challenge is back, coordinated by ‘My Life My Say’, to “ensure youth voices aren’t left out of the conversation” in the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, or local councils across England. ”Add your name or organisation to the campaign, and we’ll send you important updates on how you can get involved. Join our push to get young people to the polls at every election”. Readmore
Children & YP annual Awards – Nominations open. “These prestigious awards are a source of pride and recognition for all those improving lives, and the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families”. Young Voices Heard is a supporter of these awards and its young judges panel (who have an equal say with older judges). So our “Campaign4YouthRecognition” calls on you to nominate youthvoice champions for these awards. Although there is still no ‘youthvoice’ category, you can still recognise their impact in one of the other categories! Read more. Deadline 15th June.
👀How to make a success of Votes at 16 | LSE British Politics: Votes at 16 might become a reality across the UK. But that alone won’t ensure an increase in the participation of young people in democratic politics. James Sloam, Matt Henn and Ana Nunes offer a diagnosis of why young people haven’t been voting as much as their elders, and put forward proposals for how to change that – introduced by Ana Nunes blog
👀Votes at 16 should be just the start | LSE British Politics The Representation of the People’s Bill recently introduced by the Government proposes the lowering of the voting age nationally from 18 to 16. Laura Serra makes the case for votes at 16, argues against some common objections, and urges the Government to ensure young voters actually exercise their newly acquired right.
👀Votesat16Watch rolling news page includes these stories and more back to July 2025 . PLUS – V16W campaign Timeline/Resources👀
Recommended Read
Editor’s pick from #youthvoice influencers/commentators on LinkedIn
Josh Harsant (Head of YouthVoice & Influence/Barnardos) on the role of #youthvoice in the local government organisation “This reorganisation is a real chance to do things differently:➡️ Build youth participation into new structures from the start➡️ Create spaces for ongoing influence (not just one-off consultations)➡️ Make sure councils are set up to respond to/act on what young people say” Read More
Anja Neundorf (Prof Politics, Glasgow) Can online civic education strengthen support for democracy? New evidence suggests: yes. “In a new blog post for Democracy Without Borders, I summarise findings from our recent large-scale study across 33 countries (https://lnkd.in/eq3QWJgm). We tested whether short, online civic education videos can make a difference. The results are striking”. Read More.
[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. Ed]
YOUTH VOICE OPPORTUNITIES
YOUTH VOICE CENSUS
The ‘Youth Voice Annual Census 2026’ by @Youth Employment UK is open: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐AGED 11-30? UK? Have your say on how you feel about life, work and education, which YEUK will use to lobby decision-makers/Government. Every year, thousands of people complete the survey, sharing their opinions to shape the future. The survey can take between 10 and 45 minutes to complete, depending on the answers you give. You can start and stop as many times as you like, saving your progress as you go! More info/video/workers resources/past surveys Here or Start the Survey here. Deadline 8th June.
CONSULTATIONS
⚡Treasury Committee loans inquiry to inform Chancellor: Are you 16+? Have your say. MPs are seeking evidence on graduates’ repayment terms, including the extent to which they are reasonable and proportionate in the broader context of graduates’ marginal tax rates. Anyone over the age of 16 can contribute their experiences directly to the inquiry via an online survey. Questions include whether they would take out the loan today if given the option and whether repayments are having a material impact on their financial planning. Read More and complete the survey by 14th April.
⚡Social Media Ban /Safety: The Government has launched a national consultation on “how to better protect children online and support families in a period of rapid technological change. We want to hear from a wide range of voices across the UK, especially those working with and supporting children and families. The consultation seeks views on issues like minimum age for social media, addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scroll, AI chatbots, mobile phones in schools, and support for parents and carer. It is open until 26 May 2026, Main consultation , Parent-friendly version ,Child-friendly version
YOUNG ADVISORS
⚡Save the Children UK are recruiting for new members of our Youth Advisory Board!
It’s a great opportunity for young people aged 12-16 across the UK who are passionate about the world around them, injustice and child poverty in the UK. There are no skills or experience required – we welcome young people who are just starting their journey. If you’re a youth worker who knows young people who’d be super keen, please reach out! Deadline 19th April. Link to apply here: https://lnkd.in/ezFVsZh
⚡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 – Training
⚡Centre for Youth Voice: Free Training and Events
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
- Peer Research Toolkit Training 1: Introduction to peer research
- Peer Research Toolkit Training 2: Setup, budgets, and scope
- 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 🙂
NEWSLETTERS
👀Centre for Youth Voice – making its mark Newsletter/March 26 Another excellent newsletter from the Centre4YV – with news, free training dates and resources.
👀Govt/DCMS Youth Team – Newsletter / March 2026 -packed with news, info, webinars, consultation info and research, including: Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy: ‘Delivering the National Youth Strategy Together’ webinar, (26th Mar) Share your views on major measures to protect children on social media Deadline 26th May, The PM and Taoiseach met members of the UK-Ireland Youth Forum, UK Young Ambassadors Update (Youth Council UK @ NYA), Government’s plan for Votes at 16, Youth Matters: State of the Nation – Regional data for young people.
👀My Life My Say – Newsletter / March 2026 – featuring an interview between Eden Byrne and young (Squad) Ambassador Stefano Di Rico (learn about the Squad programme that leads youthvoice at My Life My Say.
If you have a YouthVoice newsletter with free opportunities or information – get in touch! Info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
RESOURCES:
💡The Politics Project (which coordinates Democracy Classroom) have a new one-stop Resource Hub for schools, democracy engagement practitioners and young leaders. Read more.
⭐The Centre for Youth Voice is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and delivered by the Network of Regional Youth Work Units. They offer free training so sign up to their newsletter for the latest info. Also, visit their website to access Publications/Resources. Recommend the Typlogogy (types) of youth voice models.
Young Voices Heard- Services – We not only host #YouthVoiceNews but also offer services to help you mobilise your #youthvoice, including: quality assurance/assessment, training/mentoring for staff and young leaders; project management, and fundraising assistance. Last month we supported or advised: Youth Council UK, Youth United Foundation, Shout Out UK, Be The Change Media Network and Votesat16.co.uk . DM James@youngvoicesheard.org.uk for more information.
For other YVH recommended resources, go to the www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES.