Editor, Author at YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

Mar242024 by Editor2 Comments

British Youth Council has closed… what next?

2024, News and Blogs Archive, 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. [Note this blog was written in March 24 and James has written updated in weekly editions of Youth Voice News and in two special blogs on the new national youth council: BYC to YCUK Part 1 The Journey So Far and BYC to YCUK Part 2 What Will the Future Hold. You can also find resources on the former BYC Manifesto, Vision and Values, Annual Review, Rule book in the Young Voices Heard/Resources /Library for reference]. "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…

Oct242023 by EditorNo Comments

Local #YouthVoice must be heard – New Gov Guidance reviewed

Democracy, News and Blogs Archive, 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 EditorNo Comments

“YouthVoice Policy Impact Study”: UK Youth Parlt & Youth Policy Dev Group

2023, Archive, News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard

This is the most recent DCMS/Govt commissioned evaluation report into the work of the UK Youth Parliament (then run by the British Youth Council, and the Youth Policy Group (then run by ShoutOutUK) as separate Youth Engagement Programmes. Topical in 24/25 for its relevance to the current debate on the future of UKYP and a national Youth Council for the UK. The study was led by ECORYS UK in partnership with Participation People and used the 'Lundy' participation framework as its reference point. (more…)

Mar132023 by EditorNo Comments

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

Individuals, News and Blogs Archive, 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…)

Dec302022 by EditorNo Comments

2023 Youth Parliament “Plus”?

2022, News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard

The Government will relaunch and refresh UK Youth Parliament in the new year (2023). Editors Topical Pick for 2024 - This article was first published in Dec 2022 when the a year renewal tender for the Youth Parliament was first published by DCMS following a reviews of its Youth Engagement policy. The contract was won by the British Youth Council but with the charity's closure 1 year the contract was slimmed down and retendered to the National Youth Agency to run from April24-March25. The blog explores what might have been with proposed enhancements to the model - the "Plus". Topical in 24/25 as stakeholders, including DCMS reflect on what to do with UKYP next year. (more…)

Jul212022 by EditorNo Comments

Youth Voice Views on the work of the Govt Youth Policy Development Group – Recruiting until 7th Aug

News and Blogs Archive, Youth Policy Development Group News

The Youth Policy Development Group (at ShoutOutUK) is recruiting young people to advise Government Ministers and officials on a range of current Government policy consultations. Hear what current members have to say about the initiative. Aged 16-25 in England? Join us by 7th August. The programme is sponsored and coordinated by the Government Youth Directorate (DCMS) under the management of ShoutOutUK. The group takes policy referrals from other Government departments on a range of topics from mental health to genetic modification. Training, Mentoring and Expenses covered. For more information/FAQ go to The Youth Policy Development Group with SOUK and DCMS - Shout Out UK or Apply here by 7th August . To help you decide read the feedback from current members, and check out our blogs on their work including…

Jul72022 by EditorNo Comments

YouthVoiceNews – Govt ‘Youth engagement grant’ extended to Mar 23, & Youth policy group recruitment re-opens to 16-25s

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

ShoutOutUK have confirmed on social media that their Youth Engagement grant contract with Government (DCMS Youth Dir) to manage the Youth Policy Development Group, has been extended until April 2023. Young Voices Heard and polling company Survation are also partners in this Government programme. Recruitment is now open to boost the YPDG membership to 40 (aged 16-25/England) to continue informing and influence Government policies at monthly roundtables with Ministers or senior officials. Apply by 7th August. (more details below) Kyrenia Shipillis (18) - interview with YVH gives a members perspective on her experience of working as a volunteer policy "changemaker" (more…)

Jun282022 by Editor1 Comment

#YouthVoice Interview – Kyrenia Shipillis (18), member of the Youth Policy Development Group

News, News and Blogs Archive, Youth Policy Development Group News, YouthVoice Interview, YouthVoice Interview, YouthVoiceNow Interview

Kyrenia Shipillis (18) from Enfield, London is an active campaigner, community volunteer, and champion of youthvoice and influence. She is also a volunteer member of the Youth Policy Development Group (YPDG - 2021/2022) which is a joint Government/ShoutOutUK youth engagement initiative, which consults young people in England on its policy proposals. She is also studying History at the University of Nottingham. Kyrenia talks to Young Voices Heard about her experience of working on the YPDG, her motivation, policy priorities, and shares some tips on how to be get your voice heard. (more…)