James Cathcart, Author at Young Voices Heard

Apr32024 by James CathcartNo Comments

UK Youth Parliament – young voices heard on next steps

Democracy, News, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard, Youth Voice in Democracy

When the British Youth Council announced its closure on 21rst March 2024 it was midway in a two-year contract from the Govt DCMS Youth Directorate to deliver a programme including the Youth Parliament. DCMS and supporters have been gathering information and exploring options for its continued delivery. It's no surprise that young people have been self-mobilising to ensure their voices are heard too. Here's what they have been saying and a response from the Minister promising to meet them. YVH will post updates when the new contract host is announced. UKYP Steering Group member Jamie Burrell sends a message to supporters and Young Voices Heard. (more…)

Mar242024 by James CathcartNo Comments

British Youth Council has closed… what next?

Democracy, News, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard

The British Youth Council has closed after 75 years. (BYC Announcement). YVH founder and former CEO of BYC (2008-2016) James Cathcart, reflects on the news and explores next steps. "This is a significant loss to the both the youth sector and civil society as a whole. As a former CEO of BYC and a former youth worker, my first thoughts were for the young board, the alumni, the staff team, and all the young people affected. When I left BYC in 2016 I founded Young Voices Heard to be a platform to campaign for young voices to be heard, as many other stakeholders have done in the past, and will continue to do, inspired by the underlying purpose of BYC, to amply youth voice and influence in public life. Over 700,000…

Jan172024 by James CathcartNo Comments

#NEWS Campaign4YouthRecognition: #YouthHonoursList updated with youngest ever entry.

News and Blogs, Recognition

Congratulations to Tony Hudgell (9) who is believed to be the youngest ever person to be honoured in the New Years Honours list. He joins Louis Johnson (17) on being awarded BEMs for their public service for fundraising and awareness raising campaigns. There are included in YVH's latest Youth Honours List 2012-2024 published by The #Campaign4YouthRecognition to inspire more nominations to national schemes. The list of 66* is compiled from research into the names published on the official list which dont currently publish age. It includes children and young people aged up to 30, and starts in 2012 when the Honours lists started to feature children. The campaign calls for more nominations to a range of national UK wide recognition schemes (listed below) to boost their causes, inspire others to…

Jan162024 by James Cathcart2 Comments

Youth Honours List 2012-2024 (updated Jan 24)

News and Blogs

The YOUTH HONOURS LIST: 2012- 2024 (updated with New Years Honours) The Campaign4YouthRecognition's YVH Youth Honours list identifies and celebrates young changemakers as worthy role models in an effort to inspire more nominations. The list (66 to date) includes children and young people between the ages of 9-30 across the UK, and is compiled from research and media coverage. Published twice a year to coincide with the New Years and Birthday Honours, it is updated regularly as we hear about new names*. 2024 = 2 names, 2023 = 7, 2022 = 16, 2021 = 14, 2020 = 11, 2019 = 4, 2018 = 2, 2017 = 2, 2016 = 1, 2015 = none known, 2014 = 1, 2013 = 1, 2012 = 5. Read their stories…

Oct242023 by James CathcartNo Comments

Local #YouthVoice must be heard – New Gov Guidance reviewed

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard, Youth Voice in Democracy

Statutory Guidance on youth voice and influence in local youth services (the Education Act 1996, 507b) has just been updated and published (Sept 23) by the Gov's DCMS Youth Directorate. The original legislation is not just the statutory basis for the provision of local youth services in England, but where the law says that youth views ‘must’ be heard in shaping them. Does the latest guidance go far enough? James Cathcart reviews the implications for the #youthvoice movement and calls for a debate about the opportunities in the run up to a General Election 2024. (more…)

Jul192023 by James CathcartNo Comments

NEWS #YouthVoice Policy Impact Study: UK Youth Parlt & Youth Policy Dev Group

Democracy, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard, Youth Policy Development Group News

The Young Engagement Impact Study aimed to "understand participant experiences and the perceived outcomes for participants and policy making". Are young peoples voices heard and acted upon? 'Evidence from stakeholders and the document review suggest the programmes influenced local and national government policy and decision making'. However 'participants wanted more opportunities to meet with ministers (over policy officials) and suggested a need to improve feedback on the outcomes of their policy recommendations.' YVH comment: 'We need more impact reports like this to build our evidence base and learning for youth voice and influence. They help make the case for better quality and support for #youthvoice initiatives. This study not only confirms the benefits of meaningful engagement but highlights the need to implement all of the elements of good practice in…

Jun172023 by James CathcartNo Comments

NEWS: King’s Birthday Honours 2023 – Congratulations ..

News, News and Blogs, Recognition

Congratulations to Jay Frood BEM (18), Joe Seddon BEM (26) and George Imafidon MBE (27) , who were recognised in the first Kings Birthday Honours List and will be added to YVH's 'Youth' Honours List (2012 -2023) to showcase role models aged 30 and under, and a special mention and congratulations to Matteo Bergamini MBE (31)/founder & CEO of ShoutoutUK), for their exceptional public service, campaigning or leadership of community projects. Contact us with other names so we can add them too! .. and support the #Campaign 4YouthRecognition which aims to inspire more nominations of young people to national awards. See below for details and #HowtoNominate (more…)

Mar132023 by James CathcartNo Comments

#YouthVoice Interview – Inaam Barkatoolah (18), campaigner and member of the Youth Policy Dev Group 2021-23

Individuals, News and Blogs, Youth Policy Development Group News, YouthVoice Interview, YouthVoice Interview

Inaam Barkatoolah, aged 18, from London, is an active campaigner NS advocate on 'human rights and access to justice for all'. She is a champion of youth voice and participation and since 2021, has been an active volunteer member of the Government's Youth Policy Develop Group, a joint youth engagement initiative coordinated by ShoutOutUK which consults young people in England on policy proposals through roundtables. She is currently a Solicitor Apprentice specialising in human rights law. Inaam talks to Young Voices Heard about her #’youthvoice journey, and the experience of working with the YPDG, as it approaches the end of its term in March 2023. You can read more about the work of the YPDG here (more…)