Content warning: This blog makes references to transphobia, violence, abuse, and suicide. At the beginning of March this year, I turned the grand age of 25. It also marked my three-year anniversary of publicly confirming my gender identity as non-binary, a decision months in the making. Well, I say months, I really mean since I was a youngster growing up a tomboy in the North West. But if you’re reading this, you probably have heard a story like mine before.   You may be aware of the ups and downs that trans+ people face – that first time you change your appearance, put on different ..read more

The British Youth Council is sad to announce its permanent closure after more than 75 years of championing the voices of young people.  Speaking on behalf of the charity and the Board of Trustees, Zara Khan, Chair of the British Youth Council said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of the British Youth Council as ongoing financial challenges have resulted in insolvency.  “We know this news will come as a shock to young people across the country, generations of people who have been part of the youth voice movement, our supporters and many of our partners ..read more

Young participants in the UK’s largest youth consultation have stated health and wellbeing is their biggest concern. These results mirror the outcome of the previous Make Your Mark vote in 2022, indicating health and wellbeing remains an issue of prescient concern. The statement follows the British Youth Council’s announcement that the charity will close.   Over half a million 11-18 year old’s took part in the ballot, which was launched by UK Youth Parliament in January. The volume of young participants, up from 2022 by close to 100,000, illustrates just how passionate young people f ..read more

On Wednesday 6th March, the Youth Select Committee launched its report investigating the impact of the cost of living on young people’s health and wellbeing. The Committee has ruled that transformative economic shifts have impacted young people’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. The cost of living was investigated following a 2022 UK-wide ballot of over half a million young people aged 11 to 18, in which young people declared health and wellbeing their biggest concern. Titled ‘The impact of the cost of living crisis on young people’, the report is the UK’s first full and comprehensive ..read more

I had initially got interested in the Access and Assistance for All campaign with an outsiders perspective, at a point where they were not really looking to recruit more members. I am regularly on the search for opportunities where I can help better the lives of those who have support needs and its one of my top priorities. However, I wanted to be part of something that balances allowing me to directly assist and which enables me to push for change on a big scale too. If you too have also been looking for this kind of opportunity, then look no further. Campaigning for social change can be desc ..read more

Make Your Mark is the biggest youth consultation across the UK and offers a unique and invaluable opportunity for young people to have their say on what issues are the most important to them.  I first took part in Make Your Mark when I was running for Youth Parliament in 2022 and my Local Authority had amazingly high turnout. I think that young people in Hartlepool are always really passionate about topics that reoccur in Make Your Mark.  In my campaigning, I made sure to have a massive social media push, as it is often the best way to capture the attention of young people, as well a ..read more

After the busy day that was the UK Youth Parliament House of Commons sitting, the evening of Friday 17th November saw the outgoing and incoming Steering Group head to Milton Keynes for a packed weekend of reflecting, learning and planning.  The Steering Group is a board of twelve young leaders who advise and lead the UK Youth Parliament programme. The group are all former Members of Youth Parliament, with each elected by current MYPs to serve their region and nation and lead UK-wide programme delivery and governance. The Steering Group supports the MYPs in their region or nation throughou ..read more

Young people across the UK can now participate in Make Your Mark, UK Youth Parliament’s largest youth consultation. The campaign, which will run until the 8th March, will see volunteers and Members of Youth Parliament canvasing for the views of young people within their communities. The ballot, which returns for the first time since 2022, gives 11-18 year old’s the chance to select the issue they think affects them and their peers most. Drawing from a long-list of ten topics, the ballot for 2024 includes issues such as crime and safety, transport and international relations.  UK Youth Par ..read more

As my votes at 16 term comes to an end, I would like to share the impact the campaign has had on me and some of the key messages that I have learned. Your passion is your qualification After being accepted as a Votes at 16 Youth Action Group member I was excited, very excited but also very nervous and anxious. It was the first time I had been part of anything like this. I quickly saw during our first meeting that several of my fellow action group members were very actively political: Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), taking part in council work, canvassing with political parties, members of ..read more

When people talk about homelessness, they very rarely think about young people. But 1 in 5 of those who are homeless are young people, and this number is only rising. This was the topic for discussion at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs last year. I was there, and here’s what I have to say. Homelessness, especially in the case of young people, isn’t just sleeping on the streets. It’s couch-surfing with mates, being in temporary accommodation, and so much more. Because of the growing housing crisis, there are little homes in supply which makes the ones that are in supply far t ..read more