Author: Editor

"My BIGGEST pet peeve in youth involvement work is young people being invited into a 'youth-friendly' space but then only being welcomed if they can function as a mini adult. It makes me feel like Nellie the dog ..." my quote of the week from Hannah Jones, in Recommended Reads . ⬇️ ... and following feedback, I've tweaked the format to highlight more local news, spotlight and recognise good practice, and add more editorial comment. This week we have.. ⭐Power-building #youthvoice to influence policy - lessons learnt & shared @Blagrave Trust ⭐Big Future survey targets 1million children - @Children's Commissioner (Eng) ⭐Confidence plummets - 2nd UK annual youthvoice poll @JohnSmithCentre ⭐NEW:Local #YouthVoice: In The News - Newcastle, Wirral, Peterborough 🏆NEW: YouthVoiceNews Good Practice Recognition  - Westminster Foundation/YouthPanel 📢NEW: Spotlight on…

"As we reflect on this journey, we do so with immense pride and gratitude. While we will always be here to support, we are delighted to now hand the governance of this wonderful organisation fully into the hands of young people, where it truly belongs. The future of YCUK is bright. Together, you will achieve great things for young people across the UK". Quote of the week from Esther, Youth Council UK, in Recommended Reads . ⬇️ This week's post is BITESIZE as Youth Voice News makes the transition to fortnightly posts. This follows consultation/feedback from readers who said they would prefer a post every two weeks. I've written a quick  Editorial on 16&17 devolved elections and the Digital World consultation, and posted one new Recommended Read on Youth Council…

"Being young isn’t a weakness, it’s your power. So never hide yourself, and never let anyone tell you that you are too young to be heard." Quote of the week from Lars Westra, giving advice to his peers at the European Youth Parliament. A must watch !  ... In this week's edition.. ⭐New Youth Council executive announced - reaction ⭐European Youth Parliament - Lars Westra (19) 1-2-watch ⭐Seen and Heard - tour completed, expectations raised - @iwillMovement ⭐Digital World consultation - Minister attends #youthvoice townhall - @Flippgen ⭐Profile and Platform - Amelie Abass ⭐New Research - amplifying marginalised voices/ Children In Society ⭐Votesat16Watch - Electoral Commission 👀Youth Voice Consultations x 2 on Digital future/Social Media: iwill/Govt, FlipGen/Govt 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters Welcome to #YouthVoice News & Opportunities, which is produced…

This month's #YouthVoiceNews 'profile and platform' spotlights young campaigner, advocate and activist, Amelie Abass (23). An #iwillamabassador and award-winning speaker, she was recently shortlisted as a top 10 national finalist for the 2026 Undergraduate of the Year awards (specifically the Black Heritage award sponsored by Sky). In this interview, Amelie talks about her #youthvoice journey from adversity to advocacy. Profile Amelie Abass (23) is a campaigner, youth voice champion, and professional speaker whose journey from adversity to advocacy aims to inspire others to find their own voice and create social change. She is “committed to creating a platform for young voices and shining a light on their perspectives” Amelie is currently a second-year university student studying Politics BSc at the University of Surrey. She is also an #Iwill ambassador, organiser…

"I’m constantly thinking about power, who has it, who doesn’t, and how we shift it" - quote of the week from Millicent Wedlock in Recommended Reads ... Also this week.. ⭐Votes at 16 - new research of 4000 students - The Economist Ed Foundation ⭐Minister reviewing plans for youthvoice programmes - announcements expected soon as Youth Parlt gets 1 year extension ⭐New Youth Voice Task & Finish Group for Youth Transformation/Hubs programmes - PP ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2 on Digital future/Social Media: iwill/Govt, FlipGen/Govt 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters PLEASE COMPLETE BY 26th April #YouthVoiceNews Feedback.  Help us stay relevant and useful to our network of stakeholders and subscribers of all ages. Click Here = Youth Voice Heard – Feedback & Consultation (Or Scan QR code) #YouthVoiceNews aims to share \…

"Take up space .. you deserve to be there... and if you weren't invited to be in the room - ask for an invitation..." Lily Mott, 'Be the Change' Emerging Leaders podcast is this week's Recommended Listen⬇️ on how to get started making change.. PLUS ⭐New YouthVoice -Co-Assessment Tool - Centre for Youth Voice ⭐UK Youth Parliament confirms funding extended  - NYA ⭐NUS to create a National Union of School Students 13-18 - get involved ⭐Youth Council UK - update ⭐Children Young People Now Awards - nominate a youthvoice champion/project/partnership! ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2 on Digital future/Social Media: iwill/Govt, FlipGen/Govt ⭐Recommended Resource - Voteat16 Strategy Day Bumper 188 x easy access slides 👀Recommended Reads: YV examples from Sport/Forum/MYPs 👀Newsletters roundup - Centre4YouthVoice, DCMS, MyLifeMySay 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters 👀Free Training…

"The question isn’t whether young people should be involved – it’s whether we’re actually willing to build systems where their influence counts..." Josh Harsant on local youth voice, is this week's Recommended Read"⬇️.. plus ⭐New Self-Assessment Tool Launch - Centre4YouthVoice, book asap ⭐New E-Learning model using the Lundy Model. ⭐Youth Select Committee (Youth Parlt) PSHE report. Parliament debate? ⭐Children Young People Now Awards - nominate a youthvoice champion/partnership! ⭐Voter Registration campaign - Give a X? ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2: on student loans, social media ban 👀Recommended Reads: Josh Harsant, Anja Neundorf 👀Newsletters roundup - Centre4YouthVoice, DCSM, MyLifeMySay 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters 👀Free Training & Resources Welcome to #YouthVoice News & Opportunities: your regular round-up from the world of youthvoice, participation, and influence. #YouthVoiceNews is produced by Young Voices Heard…

"Will young people ever have full agency or autonomy if it ultimately depends on the resources of adults...?" Molly Taylor  in Recommended Watch"⬇️.. plus ⭐YouthVoice Census: is back for 2026 - Aged 11-30? Have your say. ⭐Govt/DCMS Youth Team Newsletter: bumper issue!! ⭐Votes at 16 Watch latest: Bill committee evidence from Democracy Classroom ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2: on student loans, social media ban ⭐Profile and Platform: Alex Nurton / Youth Parliament Votesat16 speech ! 👀Recommended Podcast/Video - Voices In Action/Molly and Henry 👀Newsletters roundup - Centre4YouthVoice 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters 👀Free Training & Resources Welcome to #YouthVoice News & Opportunities: your regular round-up from the world of youthvoice, participation, and influence. #YouthVoiceNews is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer. Join…

Alex Nurton (17) member of the Youth Parliament and Chair of UKYP’s Votes at 16 campaign committee, makes the case for supporting teachers to be properly resourced in preparing young citizens to vote at the age of 16 and calls on supporters to back and sign UKYP’s e-petition. Profile: Alex, aged 17, is Student Vice President at his school, and a Member of the UK Youth Parliament. Locally he is a member of the Surrey Youth Council and serves on the Surrey Youth Cabinet, where he leads the finance and jobs campaign group. Alex has written about Votes at 16 and appeared on BBC radio and TV, where first came to the attention of #YouthVoiceNews/ Votesat16Watch when he said “We’re not just adults in waiting – we’re active members of society……

" Young people are ready to shape the systems that affect them. They have ideas, solutions and ambition. What they are asking for now is action"  Deborrah Terras on yp reaction to Youth Strategy at Seen&Heard event, in  "Recommended Reads"⬇️.. plus ⭐National Lottery Community Fund - have your say survey on their youthvoice plans.. ⭐Local Youth Voice Spotlight  - 10,000 (71.9% turnout) elect Barnsley Youth Council ⭐Youth Participation: Checklist & Reports from UN Youth Office/St Georges Hse ⭐Two new funding opps: UN and UK ⭐Votes at 16 Watch latest: How are 16 & 17s being prepared to vote in May .. ⭐Youth Voice Consultations x 2 : on student loans and social media ban 👀Recommended Reads/Podcast - Deberah Terra on Seen and Heard, 👀Newsletters roundup 👀Opportunities for young people/supporters 👀Free…