Evidencing Approaches to Youth Participation: A Reflection on the Joined Up Summit

The Joined Up Summit was an incredible opportunity to share insights on youth participation. As a youth advocate and a member of the Future Voices Group, Ladajah discussed what meaningful youth participation looks like alongside Jamie Rowland, Centre for Evidence and Implementation, and Alison McIntyre, Youth Futures Foundation. In this blog, she discusses her experiences at the Summit, and why youth participation is vital, at every stage of the decision-making process.

The Importance of Youth Participation

During the summit, I emphasised that youth participation is not just about inclusion, it’s about empowerment. The Joined Up Summit provided an amazing platform for cross-sector collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from social workers to charities to young people, all united in fostering a better future for youth.  

Key Elements of Meaningful Youth Participation 

Meaningful youth participation is vital to empowering young people to engage in decision-making processes that affect their lives. It goes beyond mere engagement; it requires a structured approach that ensures young voices are heard and actively shapes outcomes.  

Here are some key elements: 

1. Involvement from the start: Young people should be included in all stages of decision-making—from design and implementation to evaluation. This ensures that their insights and perspectives are integrated from the outset, making the process more relevant and effective.
2. Recognition of lived experience: It’s essential to acknowledge and value the lived experiences of young people. Their unique perspectives can inform policies and programmes in ways thatstrictly academic or adult perspectives cannot. This merging of lived experience with learned skills—such as public speaking or research methodologies—creates a more holistic approach to youth engagement.
3. Remuneration for time and expertise: To truly value youth contributions, organisations should provide compensation for their time and expertise. This not only recognises the effort young people put into these processes but also enhances their commitment and sense of ownership over the outcomes.
4. Skill development: Providing training opportunities is crucial. Young participants should be equipped with practical skills that they can use beyond their current roles, preparing them for future challenges in various environments. This might include workshops on leadership, project management, or advocacy skills.
5. Creating inclusive environments: The spaces where youth participation occurs must be welcoming and inclusive, allowing young people to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or exclusion. This fosters a culture where diverse voices can contribute meaningfully.

My Experiences with Youth Participation 

Reflecting on my journey, I shared stories from my time in the Future Voices Group. One standout project was our collaborative zine creation, where we gathered stories from various experiences focused on barriers to young people getting into employment. This project exemplified how youth-led initiatives can produce authentic narratives that resonate with our peers.  

I also highlighted the importance of feedback loops—the continuous sharing of insights between young participants and organisations. This process not only improves project outcomes but also builds trust and accountability.

Engaging with the Audience 

During the Q&A session, I encouraged attendees to think critically about how they can integrate more youth voices into their work. My advice was simple yet powerful: listen actively and create spaces where young people feel valued. Whether it’s through research consultations or policy discussions, ensuring that young voices are at the forefront is crucial for effective outcomes.  

Conclusion 

The Joined Up Summit was not just a gathering, it was a celebration of collaboration across sectors dedicated to uplifting young people. With over 500 attendees, including funders, leaders, and policymakers, we collectively explored what works in supporting youth participation. 

As we move forward, I am excited about the potential for cross-sector collaboration to create lasting change for young people across the UK. Together, we can continue to advocate for a future where there is nothing about us without us—a future where youth participation is not just an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of decision-making processes that shape our lives.

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This year, we published Youth Participatory Research: A Review of Reviews and Practice Guidance, summarised in this blog. To address a gap highlighted by the review, Youth Futures Foundation is commissioning research to produce practice guidance for youth participation in impact evaluations.