The Lowdown Youth Advisory Board visits the Houses of Parliament to champion youth voices.

On Tuesday, 21 April, three members of The Lowdown’s Youth Advisory Board travelled to London for a unique and inspiring day at The Houses of Parliament, thanks to the generous support of the Youth Investment Fund. The Fund enabled the recent refurbishment and extension of The Lowdown’s building, providing young people with new Youth Services and a safe and inclusive space to support their mental health and wellbeing.

The event in Westminster celebrated the far-reaching impact of the Youth Investment Fund and its commitment to investing in youth work across the UK. The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to young people and supporting their growth as leaders within their communities.

During the day, the Youth Advisory Board members participated in a workshop where they engaged directly with policymakers. The young attendees spoke about why youthwork is crucial to them, emphasised the value of youth leadership, and offered their own recommendations for how the government could better champion the needs of their generation. This workshop provided a platform for youth voices, ensuring their thoughts and experiences contributed meaningfully to policy discussions.

Another part of the trip was to attend a vibrant reception, attended by MPs, youth organisations, and charities. Guests enjoyed a performance by a dance-focused youth organisation, and a panel of young people shared their stories. During this the young people used the opportunity to network, build connections, and inspire change by speaking directly with decision-makers and peers.

Reflecting on the experience, Sandie, a member of the board, said: “The parliament trip was an empowering experience where I felt that when I expressed my opinion to members of parliament, I felt heard, which gave me a sense of hope for young people. I also felt very proud that I could do my part to speak on behalf of many young people in the UK.”

“The Parliament trip was a truly meaningful and empowering experience. It offered young people like us the opportunity to question Members of Parliament and express our opinions on important issues. Feeling heard gave me hope for the future and showed the importance of genuinely listening to young people instead of merely hearing them.” said Sahil one of the attendees. 

Another member Klea said “I feel very honoured to have been part of this wonderful experience. Being able to hear from other youth services and young people was very inspiring. I hope that our contributions and ideas are taken into consideration, and I am very excited to see how things progress in the future for young people in parliament!”

The Lowdown’s Youth Advisory Board is actively seeking enthusiastic, thoughtful, and creative young people to join the team. Members help shape services, make them more accessible and inclusive, collaborate with other ambassadors, and participate in exciting opportunities such as events, workshops, and socials. Being part of the Youth Board is a chance to build confidence, leadership, and communication skills while gaining valuable real-world experience for CVs and personal statements.

The YAB exists to amplify youth voices and ensure that The Lowdown’s offerings genuinely reflect the needs of young people. Whether it’s shaping new projects, providing feedback, or sparking positive change, young people are at the heart of everything The Lowdown does.

If you’re ready to get involved and help shape the future, visit their website at www.thelowdown.info.

The Lowdown offers free, safe, non-judgemental, and confidential mental health and support services for 8 – 25 year olds with all services designed to enable young people to talk, connect, explore their identity, build confidence, and feel a sense of belonging.

They Services currently include Counselling, RE:Start, Drop-ins for Information and Guidance, Mental Health, Sexual Health, and Youth Groups, including Wellbeing and LGBTQ+.