“Whatever happens next, I hope we don’t lose sight of what UKYP was actually capable of doing at its best: giving young people not simply a seat in a chamber, but the confidence, connections and opportunity to understand that their voice mattered. ….Rhammel Afflick, youth voice champion reflects on the BBC news report that UKYP at risk of axe… Recommended Read⬇️
Also in your YOUTHVOICENEWS
- ⭐BBC reports UK Youth Parliament unlikely to be funded by DCMS post March – reaction
- ⭐Recommended Read – Rhammel Afflick on UKYP news..
- ⭐DCMS consultation on next steps for youth voice vehicles still open – 30th Sept
- ⭐NEW RESOURCE: Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance – for Youth Workers Carole Pugh/NYA
- 💡OPPORTUNITIES/HAVE YOUR SAY- for all ages, includes advisory groups/ consultations/surveys..
- 🎁RESOURCE/GOOD PRACTICE
“YouthVoice News & Digest” is produced by, not for profit Young Voices Heard CIC and edited by volunteer and founder of YVH James Cathcart. Regular features include Recommended Reads, Opportunites for all ages, YouthVoice platform and new Resources. Join over 830 (LinkedIn and Website) stakeholders, practitioners, and young leaders who have signed up to get this free fortnightly newsletter (LinkedIn or Website) by email. Subscribe and view previous issues via LinkedIn here. Please ‘Tag’ us to your posts #YouthVoiceNews, so we can highlight and share your youthvoice work. (There is a small charge for commercial adverts)
NOTE: Youth Voice News will be taking a break (Ed away!) but returns in October with its first in a new series of Profile and Platforms getting young voices heard! James
NEWS | 18th Sept| DIGEST
The BBC has reported that the UK Youth Parliament is unlikely to be funded post March 27 when its current contract with NYA runs out.
“While no final decision has been made on funding beyond March 2027, a government source said: The government has not committed to continuing the programme in its current form. UK Youth Parliament insiders told the BBC that without government funding, it is likely to close. It follows a external government review published in October last year, which concluded that while the parliament was delivering on its intended goals, only a quarter of young people know about it – and some schools felt “excluded from the process”. The government says it is working with young people and youth organisations to design a new scheme that increases their involvement in democracy and decision-making, with further announcements to be made this autumn. Any new scheme will have a “particular focus on under-represented groups”, a government source said. Read More [Note: You can still have your say on Next Steps to DCMS by 30th Sept – see next story below]
Comment: “Perhaps we need to be cautious about stories that reference ‘insiders’ and a ‘government sources’ and wait to see what is confirmed officially in the coming days by a Minister, the main delivery partner the National Youth Agency, Parliament (who support the annual debate) – and the young leaders of the UKYP on what they have been told. (Young people (and orgs) can still submit views through the current consultation on next steps – see below). When I was CEO of the British Youth Council (2008-2016) – we worked with the Government to ensure the UK Youth Parliament model continued to operate when it was first at risk of closure as a charity in 2011/12. It became a match-funded initiative within BYC- but retained its brand, website and steering group. The model was reviewed and refreshed to stay relevant, and integrated into the BYC Youth Voice offer to support local and national youth voice and influence – with the BYC local Youth Council Network, Young Mayors Network, and membership organisations. In its current form its a DCMS-commissioned programme of activities – by tender to NYA – renewed annually since BYC closed in 2024. Its future therefore relies on a DCMS contract, but now in the context of the Youth Strategy Youth Matters – which is committed to refreshing its whole youthvoice agenda – through Seen And Heard commitments.
I’ve met and worked with dozens of members of the Youth Parliament before, during and after my time at the British Youth Council, and was always inspired by their passion and commitment to make a difference on the issues that mattered to them – but not always matched by decision-makers willingness and capacity to respond. I witnessed many grow in confidence, skills and networks as a result and pay tribute to the staff, volunteers and delivery partners who helped make it happen. I hope that whatever comes next embeds a mechanism that represents youth voice to power within Government (national and local) such as through a joint youth secretariat serving a Cabinet Committee across key Govt departments whose policies affect young people, Health, Education, Local Govt, Cabinet Office, Housing , Transport, Employment…… headed by a dedicated and exclusive Cabinet level Youth Minister with their own Dept of Youth Affairs – to not only provide access and support to meaningful youth voice dialogue with and across relevant Government Departments, but to coordinate the growing list of youth policy responses now needed to address the youth agenda. PLUS offering support to devolved dialogue, building on existing best practice. Doubtless votes at 16 will focus minds going forward! JC/Ed
Recommended Read – Rhammel Afflick , former MYP, and British Youth Council staff member working on the UKYP programme for 10 years – reflects … “There has always been a tendency to look at UKYP and assume it was about creating the next generation of politicians. It really wasn’t. At its heart, it was about creating a vehicle for young people to speak truth to power. To organise around the issues that mattered to them, challenge decision-makers and experience what it meant to have their voices taken seriously. But underneath all of that, it did something else too…. Read More
Help shape the future of Youth Empowerment Programmes with young people. Consultation welcomes views of organisations as well as young people. “Seen and Heard (England)” :Deadline end of Sept. Government consultation of young people aged 10-21 and organisations. The DCMS Youth Team wants to hear from young people and organisations across England to understand “the role of youth services and young people themselves” in increasing young people’s involvement in democracy and decision-making. This follows the publication of Youth Matters national strategy and the upcoming Votes at 16 legislation. They are “keen to hear from a diverse range of voices, particularly those who are currently under-represented in these programmes. DCMS have now confirmed with YouthVoiceNews that this consultation, whilst prioritising the views of young people, also welcomes the views of organisations too, as long as they make that clear in the feedback form at the end of the Discussion Guide Toolkit. This means all organisations engaging with young people, not just those doing traditional ‘youth work’. Ministers are particularly keen to ensure under-represented groups of young people are engaged through all types of grass-roots organisations who may be supporting/ engaging with young people. “The result of this will directly inform our policy development in this area”. Share this survey for young people through your networks so that as many as possible can take part; and/or “run a discussion with young people using our Discussion Guide Toolkit and accompanying workshop slides; and/or give your organisations feedback on the same questions. Please send feedback or any questions to youth@dcms.gov.uk
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⚡VOTES AT 16 WATCH
Votes at 16 legislation passes Third Reading Commons 411 Aye 102 Noe at the end of a 5 hour proceedings and debate and will now go to the Lords for further debate and amendments. It is likely to become law later this year or early 2027 – when, as enabling legislation, the relevant Government Departments and Electoral Commission will set out plans to deliver it, including pilots, and we will see it in action – hopefully in time for the next General Election. Hansard transcript Matt Bishop MP, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Political & Media Literacy, and supporter of Votes at 16 education had drafted a new clause that would require the Electoral Commission to carry out education programmes for young people ahead of being eligible to vote, and training for educators on providing such information. This amendment was backed by ShoutoutUK who are the secretariat of the APPG. Read more
Comment: Votes at 16 on its own is not enough. I’ve long advocated for Votes at 16 Plus Education. Campaigners and stakeholders like ShoutOutUk and the Democratic Classroom network (inc Young Voices Heard) will need to continue to press for consistent measures that support young people to make an informed vote – highlighting the need to address both how the process works, and how to navigate the way in politicians will pitch to get your vote. Political parties will need to start listening to what they want direct (not rely on third hand assumptions and stereo types), and to develop some 16-17 focused policies that respond to a younger agenda – accessible affordable travel? climate change action? cost of living? curriculum for life, training, jobs, university fees. This is a great time to mobilise youthvoice campaigning and I hope that some NGOs are planning to make space and stand alongside a youth lobby at party conferences that promot youth-focused policy commitments, taking and making space for young people to be heard direct by politicians – if thats you, Youth Voice News would love to hear from you and come along! Ed/JC
YOUTH VOICE OPPORTUNITIES “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. Ed]
HAVE YOUR SAY – SURVEYS/PANELS
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Seen and Heard (England): Government launches consultation of young people aged 10-21 and organisations, to help shape the future of Youth Empowerment Programmes with young people See lead story above in NEWS. “The result of this will directly inform our policy development in this area. Share this survey for young people through your networks so that as many as possible can take part; and/or “run a discussion with young people using our Discussion Guide Toolkit and accompanying workshop slides“. Please send feedback or any questions to youth@dcms.gov.uk Deadline end of Sept (extended from initial deadline of end of Aug, Ed)“
⚡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)
⚡Government – Youth Climate & Nature Panel: Age 16-25 (UK) Deadline 11th Sept – first round for 16-18 year olds. This new initiative from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) aims to put “young people’s voices at the heart of climate and nature policy. [I wish orgs would stop using that phrase! Ed]. We are looking for passionate young people representing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives from across the UK who want to help shape the future of climate and nature policy, share their views, and inspire wider action”. Read More Apply
If you have a #youthvoice opportunity coming up, drop us a line info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
OPPORTUNITIES
⚡NEW RESOURCE: Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance – for Youth Workers. (Launch 30/9/26 with Dr Carole Pugh). York St John University and the National Youth Agency (NYA) are launching a new Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance to support youth workers in helping young people understand democracy, explore political issues and engage confidently in decision-making. The event will introduce the guidance, share key research findings, and explore what effective informal democratic education looks like in practice through real-world scenarios, case studies and practical examples. It will be of interest to youth work practitioners, managers, policymakers, academics and young people committed to strengthening participation, democracy and youth voice. Learn more and register for the launch event: https://lnkd.in/erhFRACR Note – this is an in-person event but a recording will be shared at a later date.
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👀Centre For Youth Voice – check out their Website here for the lastest opportunites and browse their resources/archives.
The Centre for Youth Voice has now started to post regular features/signpost blogs/case studies on LinkedIn – why not follow them directly here? where you can read the latest training opportunities for September.
⭐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.
⭐RECOMMENDED – YouthVoice Co-assessment framework: The Centre for Youth Voice has launched a 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
The Politics Project Training – Sept/Oct 2026 ReadMore
1/ Conversations with Politicians training supports youth practitioners to invite politicians into their youth space to talk with young people. For many young people this may be the first time they meet a politician, so getting it right can play an important role in shaping how they understand politics and their place within it – what talking with politicians looks like when it’s done well, and how to form positive relationships between young people and their elected representatives – Explore the outcomes you want from talking to a politician, and how to design a session that will achieve those outcomes for your young people – Explore which politicians would be best placed to meet your young people, and how best to get in touch with them. Thursday 24th Sept, 11-1pm. Sign up here. Wednesday 14th October, 11-1pm. Sign up here.
2/ Gamifying Democracy Training Back by popular demand, we’re running Gamifying Democracy training sessions online. Ideal for youth practitioners looking for meaningful, practical, and enjoyable ways to bring politics to life with young people, we’ll be sharing games and activities that you can use in youth settings to start conversations about politics and democracy – explore their power and agency, their ideas and opinions about local, national and global topics, and their emotions towards politics and politicians. Sign up to the training, taking place on Thursday 1st October, 11-1pm here
Young Voices Heard- Services – We not only host #YouthVoiceNews but also offer services to help you mobilise your #youthvoice, including: quality assurance/assessment, mentoring for staff and young leaders; project management, and fundraising assistance. DM James@youngvoicesheard.org.uk for more information.
RESOURCES
YVH website has a free RESOURCES page, selected and recommended by YVH from a range of organisatinos including those developed by or with young people www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES.
RECOMMENDED
“Youth Voice In Organisations – 10 Steps to Good Practice” James Cathcart, 2020: The most downloaded YVH resource (1600 and rising) from the Young Voices Heard/ Resource Hub. A step-by-step guide, put together following research and review of 20 years of youth voice models and methods by James Cathcart. Young people were involved in its development as part of a Power of Youth Challenge in 2020 on a draft quality mark and the Youth Voice Charter 2020 (used in YVH assessments) – thanks to iwill Ambassadors. Read here: Ten Steps to Good Practice – minimum standards checklist for organisations.☑️
“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.” Readers’ feedback survey, March 26