Young people should, and want to, be able to have their voices heard on the things that are important to them and that will affect them in the future. They should feel they are able to do this in an accessible way that is inclusive to all.
“Nothing about us, without us, is for us”. Where decisions are being made about things that will affect young people, young people must be involved in that process.
Making young voices heard
If your organisation is exploring involving young people in organisational governance, have a read of our Good Practice Guide and watch the recording of our Share Learn Improve event on Setting Up a Youth Forum. The Young Trustees Movement provides information, resources and training for both organisations and young people who are interested in pursuing youth governance. Find out more on their website.
“Our Bright Future has been influential in helping us to develop our own strategy and approach to youth development. It has been particularly beneficial in the development of our new 2021-2023 Youth plan; we’ve taken on board the learnings from the programme. Furthermore, the resources continue to be a great reference point for our work.” – Youth Manager at RSPB. Emily Lomax, Youth Manager at RSPB
There are lots of great examples of Ask 3 successes from across Our Bright Future including:
  • Friends of the Earth, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and many other organisations involved in Our Bright Future now have young trustees. Have a read of Ellie’s experience of becoming the first Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s young Trustee.
  • With the support of our policy contractor YouthLink Scotland, young activists held a hustings with leaders of the five main Scottish political parties ahead of the 2021 devolved elections. Watch The Climate Hot Seat event.
  • Young people from Our Bright Future projects in Wales met with the Minister for Environment Leslie Griffiths and discussed key issues that matter to them, including the three Our Bright Future asks. Sion from the Environmental Leadership Programme spoke at Wales’ launch of the Low Carbon Delivery Plan.
  • We delivered a series of webinars with the Environment Agency, culminating in the event Youth Voice Summit: Rethinking Water. These events gave young people the opportunity to input into a consultation on the water environment, voice their opinion on the Environment Agency’s work and priorities, and share their views on how it could better engage with young people.
  • Our Bright Future supported The National Lottery Community Fund set up a young persons’ steering group (Young People in the Lead) by providing evidence, learning, and practical tips. The Fund also created a new position – Head of Youth Voice – who worked closely with Our Bright Future.
Find out more about our other Asks: