Youth Voice

Youth Voice

We collectively believe children and young people should be meaningfully involved in shaping the systems, policies, procedures and services that impact them. 6 Youth Voice Champions have been working with Oxfordshire Youth since June and have co-produced a piece of work to undertake a broad Youth Voice analysis, with the findings and recommendations forming a report that will be shared with Oxfordshire County Council and inform the future Youth Voice strategy.

We have had over 300 children and young people engage in the survey with remarkable feedback. The information gained as part of this process will be used anonymously to develop a report and recommendations for Oxfordshire County Council and inform a Youth Voice Strategy.

Youth Voice is More Than Consultation

We believe children and young people should be meaningfully involved in shaping the systems, policies, and services that impact them, and that they should be given the tools and opportunities to lead change in their communities and beyond.

“We don’t just want young people at the table — we want them designing the table, and then helping others redesign theirs.”
Jodie Lloyd‑Jones

Youth Voice at Oxfordshire Youth goes much deeper than consultation. It is about shared power, meaningful influence, and real decision‑making.

Youth Voice in Action

Young Trustees

We have four Young Trustees aged 18–30 who sit as full board members with full voting rights. They are a vital part of the governance and strategic direction of our charity.

Youth Voice Champions

The founding group of six Youth Voice Champions aged 14–18 have shaped an incredible way forward for youth voice in Oxfordshire.

They have co‑produced research, facilitated creative engagement, and helped define the future Youth Voice strategy for the county.

Diversifying Apprenticeships

A youth‑led research initiative where young researchers audit businesses’ equity, diversity and inclusion practices within apprenticeship programmes. The project provides insight and recommendations to employers who want to improve accessibility, inclusion and long‑term development for young workers.

Are You Listening? — Youth‑Led Podcast

Born during COVID lockdowns, Are You Listening? gave young people a platform to talk openly about the issues affecting their lives. The podcast is currently paused, but will return in 2026. If you would like to commission or sponsor future episodes, please get in touch.

Wellbeing at Work

Facilitated by UK Youth, this national programme brought Oxfordshire young people together with peers from five other areas to co‑design employment support for young people facing barriers to work.

“Oxfordshire Youth normalised disability so much that I quit my job, as they were not accommodating me. I am so much stronger now in advocating for myself.”
Young Researcher, aged 19

Youth Voice Champions Have Been Busy

• Recruited a total of 7 Youth Voice Champions with 5 regular attendees across the month.
• Engaged 6 Youth Voice Champions in the Co-production of a Youth Participation Analysis, including creative workshops, conversation corner and an online survey.
• Contacted over 65 organisations to offer participation in youth participation analysis. A further 26 young people have fed back through the survey, group sessions and creative activities taking the response total to 300 so far.
• Youth Voice Champions delivered a presentation at The High Sheriff Breakfast Meeting.
• First draft of the strategy has been written, ready to be informed by feedback through youth participation analysis co-produced with youth voice champions.
• Delivered conversation corner, arts-based activities and surveys at Didcot Youth Fest.