#YOUTHVOICENEWS 7TH APRIL – BITESIZE
“As we reflect on this journey, we do so with immense pride and gratitude. While we will always be here to support, we are delighted to now hand the governance of this wonderful organisation fully into the hands of young people, where it truly belongs. The future of YCUK is bright. Together, you will achieve great things for young people across the UK”.
Editorial
As 16 and 17-year-olds go to the polls in Scotland and Wales, what can we learn from an analysis of their experience to inform and influence the effective roll-out of votes at 16 across the UK? On 7 May 2026, tens of thousands of 16- and 17-year-olds will be voting in the devolved elections to the Scottish Parliament (129 MSPs) and the Welsh Senedd (96 members – up from 60). This is the second Senedd election in which 16–17-year-olds can vote, and the third Scottish Parliament election since the voting age was lowered.
Only a proportion of the eligible population registers (Scotland registration circa 70% = 74,000+, Wales 55% = 37,000). Of these, only a proportion turns out on the day, perhaps 40-55% depending on a range of factors. Stakeholders in these nations have the benefit of experience of including 16 and 17-year-olds, and the increased national media interest in the significance of this election, shift to multiparty choice, voter-registration campaigns, and fresh education efforts may very well have resulted in a spike in registration and subsequent turnout. We will have to wait on post-election research for an estimated turnout.
Going forward, we will need to track data and analyse fresh feedback from this new round of young voters (#genV0) recent experiences, to add to the growing research and evidence base across the UK. Particularly to update, inform and influence planning going forward. Not just of the process, but also how we educate and inform not only first-time voters, but also what the candidates have to offer. For example, to what extent have politicians tuned in to #youthvoice issues of 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland and Wales, and canvassed these first-time voters’ priority issues, such as transport, health and education? Have they taken into account the manifestos of the elected Scottish Youth Parliament and Welsh Youth Assembly?
In addition, to what extent have the increased education offers, growing media literacy and young voter registration campaigns had a cumulative impact as the devolved nations learn from previous experience and spike in the youthvoice movement? Or will increasing disillusion with what’s on offer impact turnout?
Recommended Read
Esther Horner (YCUK lead at NYA) reflects on the first meeting of the new Exec Board of Youth Council UK. Following elections held by YCUK’s 200+ founding member organisations, 17 young people aged 16–25, nominated by its members, were elected for a two-year term, and joined two existing UK Young Ambassadors, all mandated to represent young people across the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories through their membership organisations. Hosted by the National Youth Agency, the council will continue ‘the values and mission of the British Youth Council’ (which closed in March 2024). Read More
Feedback
Aims: You said that you thought YouthVoice News was meeting all of its five aims of sharing or signposting:
- News (85% = a lot)
- Good Practice (85% = a lot)
- Opportunities (85% = a lot)
- Resources (85% = a lot)
- Providing a Platform for young voices to be heard (43% = a lot)
You would like to see more of News and Opportunities, and the more Profile/Platform features.
Impact: 100% said that Youth Voice News helps you to mobilise your youth-voice in at least one way:
- By sharing News (100%)
- By signposting Opportunities or Resources (86%)
- By profiling/platforming (71%)
- By sharing good practice (29%)
Read More here. You can still submit feedback here.
Profile & Platform
This month’s profile and platform spotlights young campaigner, advocate and activist, Amelie Abass (23), who talks about her #youthvoice journey from adversity to advocacy. Now an award-winning speaker, #iWill Ambassador, and political activist, her aim is to inspire others to find their own voice and create social change. Read the full interview here.
Opportunities
Youth Voice Opportunities
- Youth Voice Annual Census 2026 by Youth Employment UK is open for ages 11-30 in the UK. Have your say on how you feel about life, work and education. The survey can take between 10 and 45 minutes to complete. More info/video/workers resources/past surveys here or Start the Survey here. Deadline 8th June.
Comment: This excellent annual survey and report, produced by Youth Employment UK, is a great example of a topic-focused youth voice initiative being heard and having a national influence on policy, because the results feed into a group of charities championing all things employment/careers direct to the Department for Work & Pensions.
Consultations
- Social Media Ban / Safety: The Government has launched a national consultation on “how to better protect children online and support families in a period of rapid technological change.” It seeks views on issues like minimum age for social media, addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scroll, AI chatbots, mobile phones in schools, and support for parents and carers. Open until 26 May 2026. Main consultation, Parent-friendly version, Child-friendly version.
- Trustee positions: Interested in becoming a trustee? Only 3% of trustees are under the age of 30. Find under-30-friendly trustee boards through the Young Trustees Movement.
Supporters Opportunities
- Children & Young People Annual Awards: Nominations open. Young Voices Heard is a supporter of these awards and its young judges panel (who have an equal say with older judges). Nominate youthvoice champions for these awards. Read more. Deadline 15th June.
Resources
- The Politics Project (which coordinates Democracy Classroom) have a new one-stop Resource Hub for schools, democracy engagement practitioners and young leaders.
- Recommended – Bumper Resource: 188 slides (including lots of research/detailed plans, progress and opportunities to get involved) from the Votesat16 Strategy Day.