Youth Policy Development Group News Archives

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…

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…)

Jul212022 by James CathcartNo Comments

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

News and Blogs, 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 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…)

Jun282022 by James Cathcart1 Comment

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

News, News and Blogs, 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…)

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…)

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…