“If we’re serious about building youth infrastructure that works, young people can’t be the last voice in the room, and relationships can’t be the first thing we cut.” quote of the week from Lucy Read, (Future Views Now) in Recommended Reads. ⬇️
#YouthVoiceNews is now posted bimonthly, meaning this is another BUMPER issue packed with two weeks worth of news, features, opps and resources!
- ⭐NEWS Power of Youth Day – @iwillmovement Are You Ready?
- ☑️Take the Youth Voice News Power of Youth Challenge!
- ⭐NEWS Parliamentary inquiry in to V16 prep with #youthvoice
- ⭐NEWS In Brief round up – Young Trustee Movement, Belfast, Bridgend, Wolverhampton,
- ⭐ FEATURE Recommended Reads – Abbey McLatchie, Lucy Read, Kirsty Beeston, Carole Pugh, LeadersUnlocked, Caroline Schindler (Canada)
- ⭐RESOURCE: Good Practice resource
- ⭐ NEWSLETTERS roundup: DCMS Youth team, YourPoliceUK, Intergen Foundation, APPG Political & Media Literacy
- 👀FEATURE Votesat16 Watch – regular feature
- 👀OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities for young people/supporters
- 👀HAVE YOUR SAY – consultations..
- 👀RESOURCES – May’s selection
“YouthVoice News & Opportunities” is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer. Join over 780 stakeholders, 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.
“It’s so useful to keep abreast of things going on in the sector. Youth Voice News 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.
NEWS
⚡Power of Youth Day – 2 June – Are you ready? Young Voices Heard has been a supporter of #iwillmovements activities and annual events, and campaigns from day 1 and regularly features the voice of #iwill ambassadors as they underline the power of ‘youthvoice’ to be heard. Their annual Power of Youth Day is “a national moment to recognise the power of young people creating change in their communities”. This year’s theme is #CommonGround — “a chance to celebrate what connects us: a shared belief in young people and a commitment to putting their voices at the heart of our work. If your organisation is not taking part – it’s not too late to use the day to celebrate your “youthvoice to action” by exploring more ways to get involved in their comms pack, including suggested posts, campaign assets and guidance. Read More Join us. Stand with us. Find your Common Ground.
Take Young Voices Heard “Power of Youth Challenge” – and get your youthvoice (yp & orgs) shared in YVNew. Young Voices Heard has backed the annual Power of Youth Day since it was first announced, signing the charter on day 1 and giving a platform to many of its young campaigners and ambassadors, some of whom helped to shape YVH work and to produce its most downloaded resource ever: Ten Steps to Good Practice – minimum standards checklist for organisations. To mark Power of Youth Day – YVH would like to share 1- share your youth voice (tag us on LinkedIn or email info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk, or 2. tell us how your org has used the Ten Steps checklist, or 3. suggest wording for new step or standard on theme of “Common Ground”. James/Ed
⚡Schools and youth groups invited to sign up for democratic engagement and V16 discussion packs for Parliament’s Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Inquiry. The ‘Modernising Elections Inquiry’ is exploring the health of electoral democracy in the UK in the light of plans for votes at 16 in the Representation of the People Bill. How prepared do children & young people feel to vote? What could be done to increase their democratic engagement? Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi MP said, “The responses from these discussions will help shape the committee’s thinking and the recommendations we make to government on how to boost citizen engagement and democratic participation”. Sign up for an activity pack. Deadline 15th July. Read more + Pack here.
IN BRIEF ROUNDUP
⚡NEW – The Young Trustees Movement is now posting weekly notifications of young trustee vacancies. Follow their LinkedIn posts direct every week. (Here is this week’s) Explore roles and more on their website: If your organisation is looking to bring more young voices into leadership/decision-making , visiting our website or email hello@youngtrusteesmovement.org.
⚡ What do young people think of the social media ban? As the Govt consultation drew to a close BBC News Northern Ireland reported on a Belfast consultation event hosted by the #iwillmovement, attended by UK Govt Safety Minister. Read More
⚡LOCAL: Bridgend Youth Support Service praised by inspectors on “the strong voice young people have within the service through initiatives such as the Youth Council, peer education projects and the Young Inspectors programme. These opportunities help young people develop leadership, communication and democratic skills while influencing local decision-making and service improvement”. Read More
⚡ LOCAL: Wolverhampton officially welcomed its newly elected Youth Council and Youth MPs at a special declaration event held in the Council Chamber recently. A total of 50 young people were successfully elected following city-wide Youth Council elections, representing schools, youth voice groups and education and youth provisions from across Wolverhampton. Read More
⚡Leaders Unlocked collaboration with Your Police UK Advisory group – Through a month-long, youth-led collaboration with the YourPolice UK Youth Advisory Group, over 65 young people shared their lived experiences and shaped a vision for trauma-informed policing. ‘The message is clear: young people want policing that feels human, informed, and responsive to their needs”. [Shared as part of Mental Health Awareness Week]. Read More
NEWSLETTER ROUNDUP
⚡NEW: DCMS Youth Team May Newsletter – includes the Youth Teams report update on youth participation: Seen and Heard. Sign up for young people to have their say on social media; Launch of the Children’s Commissioner’s National Survey; The Big Help Out 2026; Youth Select Committee publishes report on PSHE education
⚡Digital Youth Engagement Update – May 2026, a quarterly update produced by YourPolice.uk ‘s digital youth engagement programme, at the College for Policing. This update is packed with useful information, including an update on the work of its Youth Advisory Group (YAG) and a section on “What we’re seeing and hearing from young people”. Comment: a little-known but well-resourced initiative that has invested in youth participation to engage with children and young people. Ed
⚡Intergenerational Foundation – April Newsletter here: What does affordability mean for young people? Why young people feel as though the odds are stacked against them. What does Westminster think about Gen Z?
⚡All-Party Parliamentary Group on Political and Media Literacy (ShoutOutUK) APPG APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER – Google Drive – includes information on Votes at 16, research, and young voice on social media ban.
If you have a YouthVoice newsletter with free opportunities or information – get in touch! Info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
⭐GOOD PRACTICE RESOURCE⭐
Scottish Youth Parliament shares top tips from ‘The Right Way’ initiative on meaningful participation. Check out their good practice carousel here. “Meaningful participation is about making sure young people are engaged, heard, and involved in decision-making processes, both locally and nationally – from preparing to meet with young people to creating a safe space for them to express their views”. Read more and check out other resources on SYPs Right Way here.
Recommended Reads Roundup:
⚡FIVE STAR RECOMMENDED READ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Beyond Silos: Mapping Youth Infrastructure and Open Collaboration Across the UK, Lucy Read, NPC, 2025 Lucy, (of Future Views Today) recently posted further reflections on her excellent report (published last year), reminding us to have another look and review our approach to collaboration. “If we’re serious about building youth infrastructure that works, young people can’t be the last voice in the room, and relationships can’t be the first thing we cut”. Read more & Report here.
⚡Kirsty Beeston reflects on NE Youth’s recent piece exploring what happens when youth organisations are described as becoming “too political” In her view “Youth work has always been political. Not party political. Political because it is rooted in participation, democracy, rights, voice and helping young people understand and influence the world around them.”
⚡Carole Pugh reconsiders the contribution of youth work to political citizenship in light of the recent UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16.
⚡Leaders Unlocked Through a month-long, youth-led collaboration with the YourPolice UK Youth Advisory Group, over 65 young people shared their lived experiences and shaped a vision for trauma-informed policing. ‘The message is clear: young people want policing that feels human, informed, and responsive to their needs”. [Shared as part of Mental Health Awareness Week]
⚡Caroline Schindler, Consultant in Children’s Public Participation, Canada, reflects on the importance of Youth Voice as a right in Canada. “Consulting Children: Simple Practices to Respect a Fundamental Right – L’École branchée” Québec appointed its first Commissioner for the Well-Being and Rights of Children last year. This first-of-its-kind office represents a strong commitment to recognising children as rights holders, including the right to be heard...
⚡VOTES AT 16 WATCH
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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 milestone events in parliaments in the UK and around the world. Timeline/Resources
⚡James Sloam – Why would young people vote when they feel ignored? – James Sloam discusses his research on how to make a success of Votes at 16. “Lowering the voting age to 16 across the UK is a welcome step toward addressing declining youth participation in elections. But it raises a deeper question for policymakers: is access enough to truly engage young people in democracy?” Read more
⚡The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee invites young people in schools to ‘have your say’ to the ‘Modernising Elections Inquiry’ (including V16) – see lead news story above.
[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
HAVE YOUR SAY SURVEYS
⚡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. [⭐YVN good practice example⭐]
⚡The Big Future survey – Children’s Commissioner (England) consultation of 1 million. Age – up to 18. Deadline Friday 23 October 2026. What changes do you want to see in your communities? What are your biggest concerns and hopes for the future? What do you think a good childhood should look like, now and in the future?” Read More Here, (include guidance and survey link)
HAVE YOUR SAY – RESEARCH
⚡ Have your say on ‘healthy lifestyles’ in new research being undertaken by Anglia Ruskin University and the Hallmark Foundation Age range 13-22, UK wide – on ‘Perceptions of healthy lifestyles and healthspan in younger age groups’. “Your responses will help us develop new approaches to help young people engage with and maintain a healthy lifestyle as we get older, and will help inform a future programme of research and public engagement work around healthy ageing and prevention across the life-course. We’re also hoping the findings can contribute to wider conversations around youth health priorities, education, and long-term wellbeing”. Read More
HAVE YOUR SAY – Steering Groups/Advisory Panels and Young Trustees
⚡The National Youth Agency seeks up to six young people to join them as paid Youth Voice and Influence Consultants! Hours: Minimum 10 hours per month (casual, flexible). Rate: £13.80 per hour (inclusive of rolled-up holiday pay). Location: Home-based/remote. Some travel to meetings, events and conferences. Aged 16-25? Click below to find out more and apply by Sunday 7 June . Read More
⚡Fair Education Alliance – Youth Steering Group [⭐YVN good practice example⭐] Age 14-21 Deadline 28th June. “Passionate about making education fairer? The YSG brings together young people aged 14–21 to lead campaigns, influence education policy, and ensure young people’s voices are heard at the highest levels. In the last year alone, members have participated in a roundtable with the Prime Minister, presented to MPs in Parliament, and shaped policy with the Department for Education. 🔗 Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dseeCKbf📖 Read Jayden’s impact story: https://lnkd.in/ecxBXw9D
⚡Leaders Unlocked recruiting Youth Panel for the Ind Office Police Conduct Age 16-25 Eng & Wales. Deadline 29th May. Voluntary. “Help convene and deliver national and regional influencing events to capture and amplify the views of young people on key issues affecting them. This year, we are particularly keen to hear from those who may have experience in alternative education, the care system, or have direct involvement with the criminal justice system and the police. In our youth-led national influencing work (led by our 2030 Manifesto for Change), you have a chance to bring your concerns directly to key decision-makers, act as an advocate for your peers, work together to co-produce real solutions and implementation plans for systemic change. Further information, the recruitment pack (including application form) and details on how to apply can be found here:
Participation People – Applications for paid Young Consultants are now open 🚀 “If you’re aged 15–25 and already using your voice to make change, challenge ideas or influence decisions, this could be your next step! Our Young Consultants work alongside professionals on real projects, helping organisations understand what meaningful participation actually looks like in practice”.🔶 £21 per hour for 6 months🔶 AQA accredited training🔶 Professional networks and opportunities🔶 Develop skills, confidence and experience that stand out. “We’re looking for young people who are thoughtful, motivated and ready to bring their perspective into rooms where decisions are made.” Application Pack Note: no set deadline until all the positions are filled.
If you have a #youthvoice opportunity coming up, drop us a line info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
SUPPORTERS OPPORTUNITIES – Events, Newsletters & Resources
⚡Have your say – Research Shout Out UK is currently contributing to the development of a Horizon Europe research proposal titled “Digital and Media Literacy as Drivers for Democratic and Civic Resilience” The goal is to ensure that the project’s future tools, training activities and pilot interventions reflect the real needs and experiences of organisations working in the field. You’re invited to complete a short needs assessment survey to gather perspectives from different individuals and organisations working in youth engagement, education, media literacy, civic participation, democratic resilience. Read More
- Youth organisations: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/33921a30-6d07-d925-0152-5d1cc4f05c6b,
- Broader stakeholders (education, media literacy, civic participation, democracy, digital engagement): https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/35163860-21d2-51ae-df4b-31c5ca3b5839 Deadline: 6th June 2026. Please contact evie@shoutoutuk.org with any questions.
⚡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.
⚡Action for Race Equality (ARE) is recruiting for Cohort 2 of its UPLIFT Programme, a 12‑month capacity building initiative designed to strengthen the sustainability, leadership, and influence of Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage‑led organisations across London. Funded by the City Bridge Foundation’s Anchor Programme, UPLIFT offers 21 hours over 12 months, of one‑to‑one consultancy, expert‑led workshops and peer learning focused on areas such as governance, finance, communications, policy, and ethical uses of AI. Deadline 15th June.
RESOURCES:
👀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
⭐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 for 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 a 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
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐RECOMMENDED: Blagrave Trust “Young People in Policymaking – final learning report” Ten organisations were funded, each piloting or extending initiatives that centred young people as active participants in policymaking (2022-25). @Common_Futures were appointed as the ‘learning partner’ and have shared their report, providing a range of methods and experiences, providing valuable insight for the sector. A must-read for young leaders, supporters and organisations. Read more
💡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. In March 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
⭐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.
#YouthVoiceNews Click to access previous issues