Young Voices Heard supports the work of ShoutOutUK/Govt’s Youth Policy Development Group – See below and News/Blogs.
For more information you can go to The Youth Policy Development Group with SOUK and DCMS – Shout Out UK
“The YPDG is an official government programme, run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with SOUK between April 2022 to 31 March 2023”. Members, were given a platform to regularly debate, create and present policy briefs based on surveys and polling with officials and sometimes Ministers from a range of government departments, as well as meet with other like-minded individuals through monthly training sessions and Roundtable discussions.
From April 2023 the roundtable programme is being absorbed into a broader youth consultation and representation initiative under the UK Youth Parliament banner. At the time of writing its not clear who and how young people will be recruited to the YPDG replacement. Follow/subscribe to Young Voices Heard for updates.
A Group of Policy-Making Specialists (aged 16-25, England)
Throughout the programme members were guided, upskilled and empowered via monthly training sessions organised by Shout Out UK. These sessions provide the Group with the necessary skills to debate, create and present policy briefs to real-world policy-makers. Mentoring support was provided and expenses covered. Training currently occurs in hybrid meetings in various parts of England.
Previous Roundtables
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- Careers advice at secondary education and college for DFE
- Accessing national parks and open spaces
- Engaging young people in Sport with DCMS
- Gene Modification with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affair
- Constructing Youth Centres with the Youth Investment Fund
- Youth Engagement Activities with Government, with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child with the Department for Education
- Improving Youth COVID Vaccination with the Department for Education
If you have any questions YPDG programme as a whole, please email info@shoutoutuk.org.
Testimonials from YPDG Members
“The YPDG has given me the opportunity to really have my voice heard and help to make sure young people are listened too. I’ve also learnt so much about so many things and met some amazing people!” – Maddie
“I’ve found working with the YPDG to be really interesting, it’s all very relaxed and doesn’t feel intimidating at all, it’s so cool to know that we’re making a difference.”– Libi
“The YPDG has given me the opportunity to travel across the country for meetings and be exposed to new avenues for youth engagement, such as through my new position on the #iwill Fund’s Leadership Board and Advisory Panel.”– Jemima
“I’m immensely grateful for the YPDG and everyone involved, for having shared with me the skills needed to effectively advocate and enact change for my fellow peers.”– Inaam
“Shout Out UK has been really accommodating in regards to attendance for the meetings as I have had to participate via Zoom or for
less than full session. This was really nice to see as it showed me that me and my peers who I represent have valued opinions that matter. Plus with all the extra opportunities that have been offered alongside the YPDG I have managed to expand my range of skills and develop my public speaking which is something I have wanted to do for a while. All in all it’s been a wonderful experience and I would do it again in an instant!”– Hannah
“My time as a YPDG member has been excellent so far. The role has allowed me to advance my communication and public speaking skills as well as learn the fundamentals of government policy. Discussing and engaging with a diverse range of topics has been the best part of this experience. You learn and develop a new life skill with every session.”– Kyrenia
“The YPDG is an amazing experience that has allowed me to make friendships with other likeminded young people whilst also giving us the opportunity to have our voices heard at the top levels of Parliament.” – Lauren
“The YPDG is one of the few avenues I feel I have really been able to get my voice heard as a young person. It is essential that there are programs like this for the youth and I’m grateful to be a part of such a diverse, friendly and hardworking group.”– Charlie
“The YPDG has been a really great experience so far. It’s been a fantastic way to learn more about important issues and have a chance to share my views with genuinely important decision makers. And along the way I’ve met some really inspirational young people.”– Laurence
“The YPDG is so much more than I could have possibly imagined. All expectations were exceeded in just the first session. I now feel more confident and experienced in terms of my future career!” Adrianna
“The YPDG has given me the opportunity to really have my voice heard and help to make sure young people are listened too. I’ve also learnt so much about so many things and met some amazing people!” – Maddie
“I’ve found working with the YPDG to be really interesting, it’s all very relaxed and doesn’t feel intimidating at all, it’s so cool to know that we’re making a difference.”– Libi
“The YPDG has given me the opportunity to travel across the country for meetings and be exposed to new avenues for youth engagement, such as through my new position on the #iwill Fund’s Leadership Board and Advisory Panel.”– Jemima
“I’m immensely grateful for the YPDG and everyone involved, for having shared with me the skills needed to effectively advocate and enact change for my fellow peers.”– Inaam
“Shout Out UK has been really accommodating in regards to attendance for the meetings as I have had to participate via Zoom or for less than full session. This was really nice to see as it showed me that me and my peers who I represent have valued opinions that matter. Plus with all the extra opportunities that have been offered alongside the YPDG I have managed to expand my range of skills and develop my public speaking which is something I have wanted to do for a while. All in all it’s been a wonderful experience and I would do it again in an instant!”– Hannah
“My time as a YPDG member has been excellent so far. The role has allowed me to advance my communication and public speaking skills as well as learn the fundamentals of government policy. Discussing and engaging with a diverse range of topics has been the best part of this experience. You learn and develop a new life skill with every session.”– Kyrenia
“The YPDG is an amazing experience that has allowed me to make friendships with other likeminded young people whilst also giving us the opportunity to have our voices heard at the top levels of Parliament.”– Lauren
“The YPDG is one of the few avenues I feel I have really been able to get my voice heard as a young person. It is essential that there are programs like this for the youth and I’m grateful to be a part of such a diverse, friendly and hardworking group.”– Charlie
“The YPDG has been a really great experience so far. It’s been a fantastic way to learn more about important issues and have a chance to share my views with genuinely important decision makers. And along the way I’ve met some really inspirational young people.”
– Laurence
“The YPDG is so much more than I could have possibly imagined. All expectations were exceeded in just the first session. I now feel more confident and experienced in terms of my future career!”– Adrianna
Partners : ShoutOutUK is the lead organisation working for DCMS Youth Directorate with the support of YoungVoicesHeard and Survation
