“We urgently need clarification from DCMS (the Department that funds the UKYP programme) on what is meant by the reporting that they’re unwilling to fund the programme “in its current form” and we need clarity on how this decision has been reached.” Alex Nurton former Chair of V16 Campaign and MYP speaking to the BBC … is this weeks Recommended Watch in…⬇️
YOUTHVOICENEWS
- ⭐More reaction – on UK Youth Parliament’s future? MYPs, Alex Nurton, YCUK
- ⭐One Year On – What next for Youth Voice in DCMS Youth Strategy?
- ⭐New Resource: UK’s first Democratic Education Framework – The Politics Project
- ⭐Resource: Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance – for Youth Workers Carole Pugh/NYA/YCUK
- ⭐The Future of Democratic Education in Northern Ireland – Recommendations, NI Youth Forum
- ⭐Become an Active Ally – webinar invite #iwillfest #iwillmovement
- ⭐Centre for Youth Voice plans 2027 – webinar invite
- ⭐Votesat16 Watch – Legislation in Lords, APPG report/resource
- 👀Recommended Reads – Eden Byrne: Profile and Platform, Sabryna Porter.
- 🎁Plus more Opportunities/Resources…
“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, Opportunities 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 | 15th Oct| DIGEST
What next for Youth Voice dialogue with Government?
⚡More reaction to the BBC report that UK Youth Parliament will not continue in 2027. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is not committed to funding the parliament beyond March 2027, leading to speculation it could close. The programme (a DCMS-tendered contract from DCMS) has never had assured funding beyond one year at a time since it was taken on by the National Youth Agency from the British Youth Council in 2024. The current debate has been amplified and fueled by concerns expressed by its young members. Most MYPs are managed by local authorities, elected locally and taking part in local activities to varying degrees depending on resources. The national programme, plans and guidance issued by NYA are due complete in March 2027. The profile and communication of UKYP activities has been limited this year. Partly due to social media guidance to protect young MYPs from online abuse, but there has been no official annoucement of the outcomes of the UKYP summer conference – – campaign topics, votes for a 2026 Youth Select Committee or a debate in the House of Commons – usually held in the autumn. [YVN has written to NYA for more info). However – the BBC has continued to report young MYPs concerns about the possible closure.
⚡Read the views of North West MYPs Ruth Tilaye, Mohammed Dawud Islam and Poppy Williams are all members of the UK Youth Parliament here. UKYP acted as a “platform for the concerns of young people to be heard .. By losing it we lose the chance for young people to contribute to positive change towards our nation”.
⚡Hear the views of Alex Nurton former Chair of Votes at 16 campaign “We urgently need clarification from DCMS (the Department that funds the programme) on what is meant by the reporting that they’re unwilling to fund the programme “in its current form” and we need clarity on how this decision has been reached.” Read/Hear More
⚡Youth Council UK Executive Board calls for Youth Parliament to continue. The YCUK Exec Board, mostly made up of young people 16-25, elected by its members, has issued a statement in support of MYPs campaigning for the continuation of UKYP. It “calls on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and ministers to provide long-term assurance that the UK Youth Parliament will continue and reaffirm their commitment to recognising the importance of representative youth voice structures and avenues”. YCUK, which is also managed by NYA, does not publish a list of its members, but as the successor to the British Youth Council its likely that many member orgs will also be local youth councils who manage UKYP projects. YCUK Chair Ashrita Kahlia, is also an MYP for Birmingham.
Comment: “When the UK Youth Parliaments future was in doubt when BYC closed in 2024, the elected UKYP Youth Steering Group mobilised a campaign to explore its continuation. It contacted DCMS and secured a successful meeting with the Minister responsible (under the Conservative Government). NYA was one of the few organisations to reach out to them directly to lend their support – and subsequently successfully bid to host the programme. Another local MYP wrote an open letter which attracted dozens of signatures in support – demonstrating youthled and organisational backing. So what next? When UKYP was saved from closing in 2006 by the British Youth Council, it was refreshed and reformed to enter a new phase of partnership with the Government and Parliament to ensure the UK Youth Parliament model continued. No longer an independent charity it became a match-funded initiative within BYC , with fewer resources, but retained its brand, website and steering group and a degree of independence from a sole funder or Government. The model was 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. However, over the years, the match funding dried up (e.g., Erasmus) and in its current form is a much reduced DCMS-commissioned programme of activities, and still heavily reliant on local capacity. Its future relied on the DCMS contract, and now with no matched funding or hosting by an independent youth-led organisation was going to be vulnerable. Whatever comes next – refreshed as part of a new UK Youth Assembly that will include a revived local youth councils network/young mayors network and others – it must be properly resourced to the original levels of its founding charity Democracy for Youth (circe 1998-2006) to ensure that its equally available across the UK, embedded into a Government/Parliamentary partnership agreement for structured dialogue, and with a decent budget for communications/polling and media to visibly demonstrate its impact and added value to our democracy as a whole – representing the next gen’s views to power. JC/Ed
Tribute – 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. JC/Ed
⚡ What’s next for DCMS plans to increase young people’s involvement in democracy and decision-making as part of its Youth Strategy – Seen And Heard? DCMS’s latest consultation of young people and orgs closed on 30th September, and whilst other Government departments will have parallel responsibilities to take specific themes forward (eg electoral reform and education) DCMS is particularly interested in the “role of youth services and young people themselves”. Ministers were particularly keen to ensure under-represented groups of young people were 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”. On 28th Sept a small group of former DCMS Youth Advisory Group members and other young leaders were invited to pitch ideas on how to engage young people with democracy to new Minister Vicky Foxcroft MP. The summary on Insta has several familiar younger/older faces discussing barriers to participation, work experience, and ideas that included AI, Apps, Apprenticeships, National Careers Service, Partnership working and Standards. There didnt appear to be any reference to role or method for the establishment of an ongoing democratically elected representative body that could be part of a structured dialogue with Government/Parliament (a revived British Youth Council or UK Youth Parliament replacement), or support for the work of local youth councils. Perhaps this will come later when the consultation is reviewed.
DCMS Youth Team September Newsletter (19/9) Read Here– Includes Seen and Heard update: youth empowerment listening exercise; Westminster Hall Debate – UK Youth Parliament; Help Deliver the UK-Ireland Youth Forum; Help the Government hear from young people on Climate and Nature; Shape the future of the National Lottery Good Causes; Children’s Commissioner’s National Survey – The Big Future
Comment: Youth Voice News has written to DCMS asking for clarification on next steps on the specific ‘youth voice and participation’ commitments – Seen and Heard – and is preparing a breifing paper to highlight these committments and progress to date on: 1/New Youth Policy Network; 2/ Co-Design on youth funding programmes; 3/ Expectation of local partnership working with young people; 4/ local ‘Test and learn’ project on youth influence on funding; 5/ Support/funding locally to assess/delivery youth influenced services; 6/ Establish new youth councils; 7/ National youth digital platform (website) and 8/ an Annual youth scrutiny group.
UK’s first Democratic Education Framework, developed by The Politics Project in collaboration with The Electoral Commission
A new practical tool for teachers, educators and youth practitioners working with children and young people aged 4–25 in England and Northern Ireland. You can start using the Framework right now at the Democracy Classroom website https://lnkd.in/eJxsw6Yw. As the UK Government moves towards lowering the voting age, this Framework serves as a practical tool for teachers and youth practitioners to help you reflect on your organisation’s democratic education provision, recognise what is working well and identify opportunities to strengthen your practice. The Framework includes practical resources for strengthening your practice, including case studies and delivery pathways. You can also sign up to take part in a six-month pilot and be entered into a £500 prize draw to be used for school resources. The pilot is open to schools and colleges in England and Northern Ireland. Click here to find out more and sign up: https://lnkd.in/em2hvxFZ
{The Democratic Education Framework is hosted on Democracy Classroom’s newly launched website – redesigned to make it easier than ever to access all the support you need, from ready-to-use resources and training to build your confidence, to clear answers to your questions about elections and more. Check out the new and improved democracyclassroom.com
⚡NEW RESOURCE for Workers: Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance – for Youth Workers. (Dr Carole Pugh, York St John University and the National Youth Agency/ Youth Council UK). This new resource aims to support youth workers in helping young people understand democracy, explore political issues and engage confidently in decision-making. The launch event introduced the guidance, shared key research findings, and explored 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. Read More (introduction)/ D0wnload Guidance.
YOUTH WORKERS – RESEARCH REQUEST – 10 mins! University of York St John/ Dr Carole Pugh “We need youth workers views about how well equipped you feel to deliver democratic education. Can you spare 10 minute to tell me about your experiences? I am doing some research to explore how well-equipped youth workers feel to deliver democratic education that supports young people’s political socialisation. This information will be used to map existing practice and seek to develop new resources that can develop youth worker’s capacity to deliver democratic education. Please consider completing this questionnaire if you are a youth worker (either paid or working as a volunteer) in the UK”. Read More and link to survey (See aboe the new Resource “Bringing Femocratic Education to Life” which York/Carole produced with the National Youth Association/YCUK)
⚡The Future of Democratic Education in Northern Ireland – Research Report & Recommendations launched by NI Youth Forum / supported by Electoral Commission – bringing together the views of young people, practitioners and educators on what democratic education should look like now and in the future. Ten Recommendations 1/ Access to democratic education needs to be consistent and strengthened, 2/ Democratic education should include direct engagement, youth voice and meaningful participation. 3/ Democratic education delivery should be active, practical, participatory and youth-led. 4/ Future resources should provide clear, local and co-created
youth-friendly explanations of democracy. 5/ Democratic education should help young people understand where power sits and how decisions are made. 6/ Democratic education should support critical thinking and media literacy. 6/ Democratic education should feel relevant and rooted in young people’s local context. 7/ Practitioners and educators need ongoing training and CPD to build the knowledge, confidence and skills to deliver. 8/democratic education effectively and impartially. 9/ Resources should be accessible, practical and easy to use. 10/ Good democratic education needs both youth-friendly delivery and confident, supported practitioners. Read More
Comment – This excellent report is a hidden gem! (You have to click through to the links to get a copy but its worth it!) Whilst researched in Northern Ireland – the 10 recommendations could apply anywhere in the United Kingdom – and represent a significant contribution / good practice checklist for Government and the Electoral Commission to use going forward. Ed/JC
(YP and Workers) Becoming an Active Ally for Young People to Be Seen and Heard Thursday 19th November 3.00 pm -4.30 pm online. The #iwillMovement as part of iwillfest (week) are hosting a hands-on working session led by young activists and organisations at the forefront of the #iWill Movement. Come ready to explore what meaningful power-sharing looks like in practice, what’s working for others, and what practical next steps you can take, wherever you are on your journey. We encourage you to bring young people from your organisation along. After all, they’re experts by experience.REGISTER Here
👀Centre For Youth Voice – launching our 2027 offer! Wednesday 21 October, 10:00 to 12:00 / online Zoom. The Centre for Youth Voice and the Network of Regional Youth Work Units will set out their plans for 2027 in a two-hour online session ➡ Our plans for the year ahead ➡ A live walk-through of a new data repository
➡ The 2027 training programme opens ➡ Updates on youth-led funding from The National Lottery Community Fund ➡ National policy updates from DCMS. The session is for anyone working to give young people a say in decisions. That includes youth workers, participation leads, commissioners, funders, researchers, evaluators, policy makers, and young people involved in youth voice work https://lnkd.in/eQJvzKfd
⚡VOTES AT 16 WATCH
[For previous stories since July 2025 go to the Votesat16Watch home page here, where you can also link to our History of Votesat16 Timeline and Votesat16 Resources. Ed]
⚡Votes at 16 legislation before the Lords for its Committee state – See Bill timetable
On 14 September 2026, the House of Lords held the Second Reading debate on the Government’s Representation of the People Bill. Nearly fifty peers spoke over more than five hours, one of whom highlighted this APPG schools Learning and Assessment inquiry and report below.
⚡New Inquiry Report/Resource – Empowering students as democratic citizens: how schools and colleges can prepare young people for votes at 16
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Schools, Learning and Assessment, chaired by Peter Swallow MP, launched its inquiry into votes at 16 in November 2025 and is now available. In November 2025, the APPG launched its inquiry into how schools and colleges can enable young people to feel empowered and enfranchised in anticipation of the introduction of votes at 16. The inquiry considered a wide range of written evidence including submissions from young people, educators, academics, education campaign groups and charities, professional bodies, and youth organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. The inquiry also held three oral evidence sessions focused on young people and youth organisations; educators; and examples of democratic education and civic engagement in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds already have the vote in devolved and local elections. In addition, members of the APPG inquiry team ran a discussion session at the 2026 Fair Education Alliance Youth Summit. Download report
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 which politicians will pitch to get the youth vote. Political parties will need to start listening to what they want directly (not rely on third-hand assumptions and stereotypes), 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 on both political education and the issues that matter to young people – something the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament have traditionally championed. However, the Youth Council UK (BYC’s successor) is still to reveal plans for how and what its Youth Manifesto or campaign priorities will be, and the future of the UK Youth Parliament’s work is in doubt. YVNews is looking to clarify whether it will be having a debate in the House of Commons this year – and if so, on what topics. Surely preparation for Votesat16, and priority issues highlighted by other youth voice surveys (Children’s Commissioners, YEUK Youth Voice Census) would suggest an agenda? Ed/JC
YOUTH VOICE OPPORTUNITIES/RESOURCES “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. If you have a #youthvoice opportunity coming up, drop us a line info@youngvoicesheard.org.uk
⚡My Life My Say annual conference – Next Gen 2026 “@ The Copper Box Arena, 27th Nov for those aged 16-30 “The UK’s biggest youth democracy conference is back” in the heart of East London’s Olympic Park. Tickets will be available now via https://lnkd.in/ebjS3ydq Get ready for dynamic talks from some of the biggest names in politics, sports, media and much more, as well as pop-ups, workshops and the chance to network and connect with other young people as well as organisations, charities and brands from across sectors … come with an open mind and leave with new insight, new connections and new opportunities! Read More
⚡Have Your Say – young people -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)
⚡Youth Consultation on national campaign on youth wellbeing hosted at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). It’s non-party-political, evidence-led and intergenerational: a new model of campaigning, built to win lasting policy change for young people, whoever is in government. Want to contribute evidence as part of our expert roundtables? Two youth roundtables with young people aged 11 to 24, run with educational and sector partners are being organised online (1 hour) on either 22nd or 23rd Oct. Register your interest asap: https://lnkd.in/egXMiWTQ Want a campaign team member to speak to young people at your youth group/ school / college? Email k.j.gjikolaj@lse.ac.uk Read More
RECOMMENDED READS
⭐ A valuable insight into the challenges of ‘Managing Participation and Voice’ (pilot training event) by Participation People’s Sabryna Porter. “… participation managers spend an enormous amount of time managing up, across and out, often without the authority to make the decisions they’re trying to influence”. Do you recognise “Kev, the Gatekeeper: Leave it with me. I’ll take it upstairs.” “Chris, the Fair-Weather Champion: I’m ALWAYS listening to the youth!” and “Claire, the Tick-Box: needs some diverse young people’s quotes for Friday’s strategy”…. But the conversation wasn’t about naming and shaming. It was about asking what each character actually needs to do to participation better” Read more
PROFILE AND PLATFORM – Eden Byrne
This month’s #YouthVoiceNews ‘profile and platform’ features Eden Byrne, 23, a youth-voice champion, activist, and podcast host from Northern Ireland. In this extended interview, she reflects on her passion for empowering young people to shape decisions, with a particular focus on disability, mental health, chronic illness, inclusion and sport. Drawing on her extensive experience of advising organisations across the UK, her #youthvoice journey is packed with valuable insights and is a must-read for all ages – be you an aspiring young leader or a supporter.
“I want young people to understand that their voice has value, even if they don’t have a long CV or a list of qualifications. Young people shouldn’t have to wait for someone to decide that their voice is important enough to be heard. We belong in these conversations now. We belong in the room now. We are already shaping the future. We are already changing things, creating opportunities and making space for the people around us. For me, youth voice has never just been about having a seat at the table. It’s about making sure there’s a seat for someone else too, and that is something that I think a lot of organisations and individuals should carry forward in the work that they do too.” Eden Ed/JC Read full interview here.
Young Voices Heard- Services/Resource Hub – 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 – Editors pick from Resource Hub – in case you missed them before !
⭐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 it 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 (the most downloaded single resource from Young Voices Heard website)
“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.☑️
YVH website has a free RESOURCES page, selected and recommended by YVH from a range of organisations including those developed by or with young people www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES.
“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