Youth Participation

The Youth Participation Officer is pleased to offer a wide range of services, advice and knowledge to children and young people, schools, youth clubs and organisations across the district. This page gives you an insight into what youth participation is, the role of the youth participation officer and projects and activities that children and young people can get involved in.

What is Youth Participation?

Youth participation is about engaging with young people in their community. In particular it means that:

  • Young people have an important contribution to make in decisions that impact on their lives, organisations and communities.
  • Young people have the skills, knowledge and confidence to get involved with decision-making.
  • Young people's opinions and contributions are recognised, valued and acted upon by wider society.

Youth participation assists councils to understand the needs and aspirations of young people within the district. Youth participation not only benefits the council, it also assists schools, town and parish councils, organisations which involve young people, voluntary organisations and most importantly children and young people.

What is the role of the Youth Participation Officer? (YPO)

The role of the YPO is to develop opportunities with 8-19 year olds across the district. The YPO aims for young people to become involved in decision making on issues in their schools, communities and Local Authorities, through a variety of youth led action projects focussed on citizenship, local democracy and other issues of importance to the young people within the district.

Overall the YPO Is involved in:

  1. Working with young people directly in youth led actions and projects encouraging youth involvement, community involvement and community change.
  2. Engaging the young people in the work of the council, to take part in consultations, to guide the work that we do as a service and council and to involve young people in initiatives.
  3. Providing information to young people about projects, the work of Mid Beds and other youth services, through websites, newsletters and other promotional work.

The Youth Participation Officer supports young people, organisations, youth clubs/centres, schools, town and parishes, youth forum and groups to encourage more participation within the district.

Below are just a few examples of the work that the Youth Participation is currently organising, running or assisting.

For more information on Youth Participation or any of the above activities please email Katy Henman Youth Participation Officer or call 01462 611008.