Young Voices Heard Archives - Young Voices Heard

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…

Jan22023 by James CathcartNo Comments

NEWS: New Years Honours 2023. More young people recognised. Campaign continues.

News, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard

Congratulations to Dara McAnulty (18) BEM, Elliott Lancaster MBE (25), Kieron Moir MBE (29) and Bethan Stimpson BEM (27)who have been recognised in the first Kings New Years Honours List, and will be added to our YVH Youth Honours List 2012-2022 (listed below) to showcase those aged 30 and under who have been recognised for their exceptional public service, campaigning or leadership of community projects. The #Campaign4YouthRecognition aims to inspire more nominations of young people to all national awards. See below for #HowtoNominate (more…)

Dec302022 by James CathcartNo Comments

2023 Youth Parliament “Plus”?

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

The Government will relaunch and refresh UK Youth Parliament in the new year. This followed a year of review and consultation by the DCMS Youth Directorate of its Youth Engagement [with Government] strategy and grants programme. It published its conclusions in a tender document which as part of an invitation for proposals to refresh and relaunch the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) brand, integrate the Youth Policy Development Group and introduce a number of new measures to “increase engagement with young people across the UK”. The aim, in the new year, is to build the programme “into an established part of the policymaking and parliamentary process, with direct access to decision makers, and improve feedback and recognition to young people". This is an exciting opportunity to amplify youthvoice and participation to a…

Jul72022 by James CathcartNo Comments

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

Democracy, News, News and Blogs, 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…)

May242022 by James Cathcart1 Comment

Youth Engagement with Govt/DCMS: Survey results

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

Youth Engagement with Government - Survey Results: Earlier this year the Government's Youth Engagement Team, at the Civil Society and Youth Directorate (at DCMS) consulted stakeholders* on the future of its Youth Engagement Grants programme which funds both the Youth Policy Development Group (pic) managed by ShoutOutUK and its partners, and the UK Youth Parliament (managed by the British Youth Council and its partners). The review included surveys of young people in England, circulated in February by Young Voices Heard and ShoutOutUK to their networks for the Youth Policy Development Group. Findings and commentary below. (more…)

May132022 by James CathcartNo Comments

#Youth Voice News 5/22: Govt Mental Health Consultation, Funding, New Youth Voice Register, Good Practice…

News, News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard

Government #YouthVoice Consultation on Mental Health & WellBeing – aged 12-25, and living in England? Have your say on Govg policy to the Youth Policy Development Group / "Govt" roundtable consultation which will inform and influence the Department of Health and Social Care's 10 year "Mental Health and Well-Being Plan". Take 5-10 minutes to have your say by clicking this - Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey (DEADLINE 28th May) Your responses to the survey will be reviewed by the young members of the Youth Policy Development Group (YPDG) and shared with government officials and senior policy makers at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) on 6th June 2022. [To get more monthly consultations direct to your inbox sign…

Apr252022 by James CathcartNo Comments

NEWS: #YouthVoice Policy Group continues, & latest Govt consultation on GM Food

News and Blogs, Young Voices Heard

News: Youth Policy Development Group extended / new consultation on Genetic Modification to Food ShoutOutUK have been given an extension to their Youth Engagement grant to continue their work getting young voices heard on the development Government Policies through the Youth Policy Development Group, by six months until the end of Sept 22. .The original youth engagement partnership was announced last year and initially covered the period between Sept 21 and March 22. The group met last weekend for the training and preparation for this month's (April) consultation (on behalf of DEFRA) on GM food (aged 16-25 see below to have your say) (more…)

Feb152022 by James Cathcart1 Comment

YouthVoice to Govt: Mini-Survey on Youth Engagement Policy 2022

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

Aged up to and including 25 in England? Want to influence how Govt engages with youth people on policy issues? Please complete this 5 min survey by 6th March: "How do young people want to be involved with decision making?" "What more can government do to engage with young people?" "What should Feedback to young people look likr? "How can government engage with a diverse range of young people?" "How can government increase visibility, public engagement and awareness of youth engagement?" (more…)

Jan72022 by James Cathcart1 Comment

Govt Youth Policy Group is listening..

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

Young Voices Heard is supporting the work of the new Youth Policy Development Group which is currently 'listening' to the views of other young people - see links below - with a view to informing and influencing government policy from the inside. The group (aged 16-25) is calling on young people (in England) to share their views on policy issues. The current survey includes questions on covid recovery education, child poverty and housing. This is part of an ongoing dialogue with Government being coordinated by ShoutOutUK and the DCMS Civil Society and Youth Directorates Youth Engagement programme. The group will develop a policy presentation and proposals for discussion at their next Ministerial Roundtable scheduled for the end of January. The first meeting took place in December on Covid Vacs and…