Youth voice is an essential part of a healthy democracy. When young people are able to express themselves and share their perspectives, it makes our communities stronger and more inclusive. In this blog post, I explain what youth voice is, why it is important, provide examples of successful youth voice projects, and explore how we as professionals who work with young people can empower them to share their voice.

1. What is youth voice?
2. Why is youth voice important?
3. How can we empower youth to have a voice?
4. Successful youth voice projects in the UK
   1. The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) and its Youth Select Committee
   2. Cheshire East’s SHOUT Campaign
   3. The Young People’s Assembly in North Lanarkshire
5. The challenges of hearing youth voice
6. Summary

What is youth voice?

Youth voice is the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and actions of young people as a collective body. It is the way that young people express themselves and share their perspectives on the world around them. Youth voice can be expressed in many different ways, including through art, writing, music, activism, and civic engagement.

Why is youth voice important?

There are many reasons why youth voice is important. These reasons often relate to the benefits of empowering youth voice in society. Below are some arguments for the importance of youth voice although, this list is not exhaustive:  

• Young people have unique perspectives and experiences that can inform decision-making. They can offer insights into the challenges and opportunities that they face, and they can provide valuable feedback on policies and programs that affect them.
• When young people are involved in decision-making, they are more likely to feel invested in the outcome. This can lead to increased civic engagement and a greater sense of belonging.
• Hearing youth voice can help to build trust and understanding between young people and adults. When adults take the time to listen to young people’s ideas and opinions, it shows that they value their contributions. This can help to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for young people.
• When young people are able to have a voice, it can lead to improved social outcomes. This means that young people are more likely to have access to quality education, healthcare, and other resources. It also means that they are less likely to be involved in crime or violence.

How can we empower youth to have a voice?

As youth workers, teachers, and professionals who work with young people, there are many things that can be done to empower youth to have a voice. Actions we can take include:

• We need to create opportunities for young people to share their ideas and opinions. This can be done through school councils, youth forums, and community organizations.
• We need to listen to young people’s ideas and take them seriously. This means giving them the opportunity to participate in decision-making and to have their voices heard.
• We need to provide young people with the skills and resources they need to be effective advocates. This includes training on how to communicate effectively, how to manage conflict, and how to build relationships.
• Young people need to feel safe and supported in order to share their ideas and opinions. This means creating a space where they feel comfortable speaking up, and where they know that their voices will be heard.
• Young people need opportunities to take action on the issues that they care about. This could involve volunteering, campaigning, or starting their own projects.
• It is important to celebrate young people’s achievements, and to show them that their voices are making a difference. This will encourage them to continue speaking out, and it will help them to feel empowered.

Successful youth voice projects in the UK

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) and its Youth Select Committee

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a national youth forum that gives young people aged 11-18 the opportunity to have their voices heard on issues that matter to them. The UKYP is made up of over 600 young people from across the UK, who are elected to represent their peers.

The UKYP has been running since 1999 and has a proven track record of success. The project has helped to empower young people, raise awareness of youth issues, and influence decision-making at a national level.

One of the most successful initiatives of the UKYP is the Youth Select Committee. The Youth Select Committee is a group of young people who are elected to investigate and report on a particular issue. The committee has investigated a wide range of issues, including mental health, education, and the environment.

The Youth Select Committee’s reports have been highly influential. They have been used by government ministers, policy makers, and the media to inform decision-making. The committee has also helped to raise awareness of youth issues among the general public.

The UKYP is a successful example of a youth voice project that has empowered young people, raised awareness of youth issues, and influenced decision-making at a national level. The project is a valuable resource for young people who want to have their voices heard and make a difference in their communities.

Cheshire East’s SHOUT Campaign

The SHOUT Campaign is a youth-led campaign that was created by Cheshire East Youth Council to raise awareness of sexual harassment and sexual violence. The campaign was launched in 2019 and has since involved over 2,600 young people in the Cheshire East area.

The SHOUT Campaign has used a variety of methods to raise awareness of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including:

• Surveying young people about their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual violence.
• Running workshops and training sessions on sexual harassment and sexual violence.
• Creating a toolkit for young people on how to deal with sexual harassment and sexual violence.
• Producing a series of videos and posters about sexual harassment and sexual violence.

The SHOUT Campaign has been successful in raising awareness of sexual harassment and sexual violence among young people. The campaign has also helped to empower young people to speak out about their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual violence and shown that young people can be effective advocates for change.

The Young People’s Assembly in North Lanarkshire

The Young People’s Assembly in North Lanarkshire is a youth-led organization that provides young people with a platform to have their voices heard on local issues. The Assembly was founded in 2002, and it has since involved over 10,000 young people.

The Assembly works with young people to identify issues that matter to them, and to develop campaigns and projects to address those issues. The Assembly has worked on a wide range of issues, including mental health, education, and youth homelessness.

The Assembly has been successful in raising awareness of issues that matter to young people, and in influencing decision-making at a local level. The Assembly has also helped to empower young people to become civically engaged and to make a difference in their communities.

The Young People’s Assembly in North Lanarkshire is a successful example of a small-scale and local youth voice project that has made a real difference in the lives of young people. The Assembly has shown that young people can be effective advocates for change, and that their voices can be heard.

The challenges of hearing youth voice

There are many challenges which youth workers, teachers, professionals, and young people may face in expressing their youth voice. Some of these challenges include:

• Adults often underestimate the capacity of young people to contribute. They may believe that young people do not have the knowledge, skills, or experience to be involved in decision-making.
• Lack of trust between young people and adults. This may be due to a history of adults not listening to young people, or to a lack of understanding of young people’s cultures and experiences.
• There are often structural barriers that prevent young people from being involved in decision-making. These barriers can include lack of access to resources, lack of time, or lack of transportation.
• It can be difficult to find ways to represent the diversity of young people’s voices. Young people come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and it can be challenging to find ways to ensure that all voices are heard.
• It can be difficult to ensure that young people’s voices are heard in a way that is respectful and inclusive. This means being careful not to exploit young people or to use their voices for political gain.

Summary

Youth voice is important because it can help to build trust and understanding between young people and adults, lead to improved social outcomes, and empower young people to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

There are many things that can be done to empower youth to have a voice, such as creating opportunities for them to share their ideas and opinions, listening to them and taking their ideas seriously, providing them with the skills and resources they need to be effective advocates, and celebrating their achievements.

Some successful youth voice projects in the UK include the UK Youth Parliament, the SHOUT Campaign, and the Young People’s Assembly in North Lanarkshire.

There are also some challenges that can be faced in hearing youth voice, such as adults underestimating the capacity of young people to contribute, lack of trust between young people and adults, and structural barriers that prevent young people from being involved in decision-making. Overall, youth voice is an important part of a healthy democracy. There are many things that can be done to empower young people to have a voice and it is up to all of us to ensure that their voices are heard.