“As we reflect on this journey, we do so with immense pride and gratitude. While we will always be here to support, we are delighted to now hand the governance of this wonderful organisation fully into the hands of young people, where it truly belongs. The future of YCUK is bright. Together, you will achieve great things for young people across the UK”. Quote of the week from Esther, Youth Council UK, in Recommended Reads . ⬇️
This week’s post is BITESIZE as Youth Voice News makes the transition to fortnightly posts. This follows consultation/feedback from readers who said they would prefer a post every two weeks. I’ve written a quick Editorial on 16&17 devolved elections and the Digital World consultation, and posted one new Recommended Read on Youth Council UK. There is also a summary of recent consultations, opportunities and resources that you may have missed from last week. You can still submit feedback here
“It’s so useful to keep abreast of things going on in the sector. [YouthVoiceNews] makes me feel connected to other advocates/researchers/practitioners. As long as I read the newsletter, I am fairly certain that I’m not missing any major developments..” from the feedback survey of YouthVoiceNews
- ⭐Editorial: 16-17 year-olds vote in Scotland and Wales – what will we learn for UK?
- ⭐Editorial: SmartPhone consultation pre-judged?
- ⭐Recommended Read – Esther Horner reflects on the first meeting of YCUK.
- ⭐Feedback: 100% say YVNews helped to mobilise their youthvoice
- 👀Platform & Profile – Amelie Abass Young Voice Heard Interview
- 👀Youth Voice Consultations
- 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters
“YouthVoice News & Opportunities” is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer. Join over 680 practitioners and young leaders who have signed up on LinkedIn (or the YVH website) to get this free newsletter sent directly to their email, via LinkedIn here. (And to browse back issues here). Please ‘Tag’ us to your posts (#YouthVoiceNews or @YouthVoiceHeard) so we can highlight and share your youthvoice.
EDITORIAL
💡 As 16 and 17-year-olds go to the polls in Scotland and Wales, what can we learn from an analysis of their experience to inform and influence the effective roll-out of votes at 16 across the UK?
On 7 May 2026, tens of thousands of 16- and 17-year-olds will be voting in the devolved elections to the Scottish Parliament (129 MSPs) and the Welsh Senedd (96 members – up from 60). This is the second Senedd election in which 16–17-year-olds can vote, and the third Scottish Parliament election since the voting age was lowered. Only a proportion of the eligible population registers (Scotland registration circe 70% = 74,000+, Wales 55% = 37,000. Note: qualified estimates). Of these, only a proportion turns out on the day, perhaps 40-55% depending on a range of factors. However, stakeholders in these nations have the benefit of experience of including 16 and 17-year-olds, and the increased national media interest in the significance of this election, shift to multiparty choice, voter-registration campaigns, and fresh education efforts may very well have resulted in a spike in registration and subsequent turnout. We will have to wait on post-election research for an estimated turnout. [Do let me know if you are working on this]
Going forward, we will need to track data and analyse fresh feedback from this new round of young voters (#genV0) recent experiences, to add to the growing research and evidence base across the UK. Particularly to update, inform and influence planning going forward. Not just of the process, but also how we educate and inform not only first-time voters, but also what the candidates have to offer. For example, to what extent have politicians tuned in to #youthvoice issues of 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland and Wales, and canvassed these first-time voters’ priority issues, such as transport, health and education? Have they taken into account the manifestos of the elected Scottish Youth Parliament and Welsh Youth Assembly? In addition, to what extent have the increased education offers, growing media literacy and young voter registration campaigns had a cumulative impact as the devolved nations learn from previous experience and spike in the youthvoice movement? Or will increasing disillusion with what’s on offer impact turnout? (JC/Ed)
💡 Does the School’s SmartPhone Ban Bill pre-judge the consultation “Growing Up in a Digital World”? 💡
Has the Government given in to lobbying pressure by introducing an amendment to make schools smartphone-free zones before the Government consultation is complete, pre-judging its outcome? Growing Up in a Digital World, coordinated and commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Education (DfE), has a wider remit than just school smart-phone use, but it has been criticised by lobbyists who want action now. It may very well be an appropriate conclusion and response, but it contrasts with the DCMS efforts and raised expectations from the Youth Strategy that young people’s views will be taken into account in policy development and delivery. How does that make young people and their representatives feel, having been assured that their voices are ‘at the heart of’ the decision-making? Will their reaction to this measure, even after the event, be included in the consultation report and taken into account in practice? The Government’s commitment to #Youthvoice being meaningfully heard is on probation as it faces tests like this. It’s one of the reasons I particularly welcomed the promised Youth Strategy ‘annual accounting’ by young people – a new mechanism yet to be co-developed with young people and due to convene in the autumn. (I expect it will probably be next year). Will it be able to question Ministers, take evidence and produce a report – rather like the independent Youth Select Committee? Whatever the model, it may very well have ‘Digital World Consultation – Policy and practice ‘ on its agenda. (JC/Ed)
RECOMMENDED READ
Recommended Read: Esther Horner (YCUK lead at NYA) reflects on the first meeting of the new Exec Board.
Last week YVN reported that the Youth Council UK revealed its first national Executive Board. This week, they held their first meeting, and NYA lead Esther Horner reflects on this experience. Read More
Background: Following elections held by YCUK’s 200+ founding member organisations, 17 young people aged 16–25, nominated by its members, were elected for a two-year term, and joined two existing UK Young Ambassadors, all mandated to represent young people across the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories through their membership organisations. Hosted by the National Youth Agency, the council will continue ‘the values and mission of the British Youth Council’ (which closed in March 2024).
Youth Voice News: GROUP FEEDBACK
Aims: You said that you thought YVN was meeting all of its five aims of sharing or signposting: 1/News, 2/Good Practice, 3/ Opportunities and 4/ Resources. (85% = alot), and providing a 5/ Platform for young voices to be heard (43% = alot). You would like to see more of News and Opportunities, and the more Profile/Platform features.
Impact: 100% said that Youth Voice News helps you to mobilise your youth-voice in at least one way..
- By sharing News 100%
- By signposting Opportunities or Resources 86%
- By profiling/platforming 71%
- By sharing good practice 29%
Read More here . You can still submit feedback here
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: PROFILE & PLATFORM / Amelie Abass
⚡This month’s profile and platform spotlights young campaigner, advocate and activist, Amelie Abass (23), who talks about her #youthvoice journey from adversity to advocacy. Now an award -winning speaker, #iWill Ambassador, and political activist, her aim is to inspire others to find their own voice and create social change. Read the full interview here.
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VOTES AT 16 WATCH – 👀Votesat16Watch is a rolling news page – a summary of the latest stories, events and research since July 2025. In addition, there is a timeline history of the Votes at 16 campaign activities, including milestones events in parliaments in the UK and around the world. Timeline/Resources👀
[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.
Comment: This excellent annual survey and report, produced by @Youth Employment UK, is a great example of a topic-focused youth voice initiative being heard and having a national influence on policy, because the results feed into a group of charities championing all things employment/careers direct to the Department for Work & Pensions. Check it out, check them out! Ed/JC
CONSULTATIONS
⚡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 carers. It is open until 26 May 2026, Main consultation, Parent-friendly version , Child-friendly version
⚡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 – Events, Newsletters & Resources
⚡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.
Centre For Youth Voice – check out their LinkedIn posts!
The Centre for Youth Voice has now started to post regular features/signpost blogs/case studies on LinkedIn. Here are the ones that caught my attention – but why not follow them directly here
👀When participation becomes symbolic: Blog Read More
👀The first episode of our new Youth Work Exchange Podcast explores ‘Authoring Our Own Stories’, a five-year, youth-led research programme. Read (listen) More
RECENT NEWSLETTERS
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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐RECOMMENDED – Bumper Resource – 188 x Slides (yes ! 188? – includes lots of research/detailed plans, progress and opportunities to get involved – from the Votesat 16 Strategy Day. Last month Democracy Classroom convened an in person Votesat16 Strategy day, where over 100 attendees heard a range of presentations from: The Economist Foundation (research), Partnership for Young London/The Jack Petchey Foundation (research), The Electoral Commission (research and prepration plan), The Politics Project (Wales), The Northern Ireland Youth Forum, My Life My Say (voter registration), ShoutOutUK (Wales), Education Scotland, UKYouthParliament, Minister Samantha Dixon MP, and her department team (on the passage of the legislation), and the Democracy Classrooms – Roadmap to Votes at 16. A Must-Read, Resource Here
⭐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 Typology (types) of youth voice models.
⭐YouthVoice Co-assessment framework launched – 14th April: The Centre for Youth Voice has launched a new co-assessment framework (free) for practitioners and young people to use together to reflect on their youth voice practice. You will be able to complete it online/and share anonymously with the Centre to share trends. “It’s a map for continuous improvement, not as pass/fail assessment”. 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.
➡ Tool and PDF download: https://www.regionalyouthunits.com/self-assessment-tool
➡ Launch recording: https://youtu.be/s7tOjUyyH3o
⭐Youth Focus North West (YFNW) – New E‑Learning Module: Participation and Young People’s Voice using the Lundy Model: 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.
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.