British Youth Council has closed… what next?

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

“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…)
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2023 Youth Parliament “Plus”?

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…)
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The Youth Participation Charter 2006 – Not just heard.

The Youth Participation Charter 2006 – Not just heard.

News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard
“While consultation is important, participation in its truest sense gives children and young people an active involvement in planning, decision-making and subsequent evaluation” The Participation Charter, 2006 Is it time to revisit and revive this Charter? Has it stood the test of time? 'The Participation Charter 2006' set out a vision of #youthvoice empowered to have say in decision-making. Many of its principles still apply today but is it enough in 2020 and beyond? How can we collaborate with young leaders, listening to, working with and investing in participation and leadership to refreshed a vision and charter? Whilst not the earliest youth voice charter we've come across, this 'Participation Charter' was published by Children Young People Now magazine on 6th June 2006*, in association with the Participation Works Consortium**.  James…
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#YouthVoice in organisations: 10 steps to good practice

#YouthVoice in organisations: 10 steps to good practice

2020, Editors Pick, News and Blogs Archive, Topical, Young Voices Heard
Meaningful Youth Participation - self assessment Ten minimum standards for organisations looking to promote youth voice, participation and leadership. As part of our 'Power of Youth' research between 2018-2021, Young Voices Heard has been making space for young people to inform and influence good practice with their advice on planning or improving the way in which organisations embrace youth voice and participation. In this article, we have collected the views and priorities of young people into a set of ten minimum standards, and ordered them into a series of steps.  We asked for feedback - resulting in an extra one - no 11! What would you add? What other resources would you recommend? Please send us your suggestions through the link at the end of the article. Where to start…
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