Advocating for youth work at political party conferences

Over the next few weeks we will see a range of decision makers, MPs, lobbyists, experts and charity organisations travel across the UK to attend the various political party conferences.

These are important opportunities to come together with like-minded individuals and decision makers to help influence both Government, and the policy of opposition parties, writes Kate Roberts, UK Youth policy manager. 

This year, UK Youth is attending the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences throughout September and into October.  

We will be hosting events, connecting with sector experts, and holding meetings with MPs and ministers to help raise youth work on the agenda and showcase the power of youth voice.

Our activity is coordinated through the Youth Zone and being held in collaboration with a number of other amazing charities across the youth sector. We are also supporting a number of young people to attend the conferences, and share their views with MPs and ministers.  

We will be going to the conferences to advocate for the importance of youth work and outdoor learning in supporting young people.

UK Youth would like to see the Government prioritise youth work as a solution to the challenges facing young people. We will be talking to MPs, ministers and shadow ministers about:   

If you are interested in attending any of our events, or meeting up at the conference please get in touch at policy@ukyouth.org

The Liberal Democrat Party Conference is taking place from Saturday-Tuesday, September 14-17, Brighton. Members of our policy and influencing team will be attending on the Monday and Tuesday.

We are looking forward to attending a session run by the National Youth Agency, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and YMCA on ‘A Fair Deal for Young People: Championing Youth Work and Enrichment’. We will also be meeting with MPs over the two days. Do get in touch if you will be there and want to connect! 

Labour’s conference is being held in Liverpool from Sunday-Wednesday, September 22-25. Members of our policy and influencing team will be attending for the full duration, with three local young people joining us on the Monday. These young people are #iwill ambassadors and looking forward to sharing their views with MPs on the day.

We are also running a panel event on Young Futures Hubs: Implementing a Coordinated Support Offer Through Youth Work, on the Monday, from 1.45-2.45pm. This will be held in the Youth Zone within the secure zone of the conference. Please do get in touch if you are keen to join this event, or meet up at the conference itself.  

The Conservative Party Conference is taking place from Sunday-Wednesday, September 29-October 2, in Birmingham. Members of our policy and influencing team will be attending for the full duration, with two local young people joining us on the Monday. These young people are again #iwill ambassadors and looking forward to sharing their views with MPs on the day. We will be running an invitation-only roundtable on Cross Sector Support: The Role of Businesses in Championing Youth Work, where we will be talking to sector experts and businesses. Please do get in touch if you are keen to meet up at the conference. 

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes

#iwill is a movement comprised of more than 1,000 organisations and 700 young #iwill Ambassadors & Champions from across the UK. They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their livers, their communities, and broader society.

#iwill is empowering, challenging, independent, collaborative and inclusive – it belongs to everybody.

The #iwill movement is powered by young people and organisations. The #iwill Ambassadors and #iwill Champions, alongside organisations who sign up to the Power of Youth Charter, help ensure meaningful action is taken to support more children and young people to be active citizens.

The #iwill Partnership is made up of leaders of collective action groups working within and across sectors and nations of the UK to guide the #iwill movement. The independent #iwill Coordination Hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth supports the #iwill Partnership, #iwill Ambassadors and broader #iwill movement.