How to have your say

Sometimes it can feel like nobody cares what young people think or that nothing makes a difference. Well things are changing! More and more adults have to listen to young people, as part of their job, so now is a good time to tell them what you think.

There are a million ways that you can have your say – like being part of a school council or youth forum. Everyone has the right to be listened to when decisions are made that affect you. You don’t have to want to be a politician to get involved – though there are now elected Young Mayors and Deputy Mayors in several London boroughs, including Newham and Lewisham!

Find out how to have your say in:

School
London
The UK
The world

In school

Things are changing when it comes to having your say about school. The first ever Association for Secondary School Students has been set up, ESSA.

And if you think your school council is no good - well get in there and change it! School Councils UK can give advice on how to get it going.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on!

In London

Do you have lots of ideas on how to make the city better? Reckon you could be the next Mayor of London?

We know that London will, more likely, be a decent place to grow up in when young people are listened to and have the chance to help make the city better.

Get involved in the UK Youth Parliament. Young people from boroughs right across London can take part in the annual elections to be a young MP. If you get elected you can take part in Londonwide meetings.

To the Mayor

A few years ago, the Mayor asked children and young people to send in their ideas for what they would like to see in London. Over a thousand of you responded and told us what you wanted to see in the Mayor's Children and Young People’s Strategy. This is called, ‘Making London better for all children and young people’.

Here is a list of some of the things you asked for and what is being done to make sure you get what you wanted:

More safe places to play

Money and ideas have been given to create 'home zones' in many parts of London – this means making streets and neighbourhoods safer places for kids to play in
We have organised big Londonwide events, and supported local events in your local areas, to celebrate national Playday every August
The Mayor has written a guide for all London councils about making good play grounds and spaces locally

Cheaper and safer transport

The Mayor has made all London buses and trams free for under-18s who are in full-time education
Transport for London provides an education service to schools. This helps prepare children aged 10–11, travelling on their own, to make safe journeys confidently before starting secondary school

Help stop bullying

The Mayor is working with a charity called Beatbullying to tell everyone in London that they should help stop the bullies – this campaign is called Bully Watch London and you can phone them on 0845 338 5070

To find out what else is in the Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy check this out

In the UK

Are your ideas too big for London? Do you want to have your say about issues that affect the whole country? Living in the capital means you are in the middle of things and you have lots of great resources to learn about how the country is managed. Find out more about what's is happening in the country.

What does the Government and parliament actually do? You can find out by visiting Young People: Directgov. This is a site for you to learn more about how the country is organised, find out who your local representative is and gives you a chance to have your say
The British Youth Council represents British people under 26. This is where lots of other organisations come to find out what young people in the country are thinking. You have the chance to express your opinion and get involved in local youth groups
The UK Youth Parliament gives a voice to 11 to 18 year olds. There are currently over 400 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs).
Children's Rights Alliance for England will help you make sense of all the documents and jargon that politicians talk

Visit the Houses of Parliament! Living in London means that you can go straight to the heart of British politics. Before you go and take a look, you can find out more about the Houses of Parliament online for fun quizzes and a virtual visit.

Joining a political party

You can join a political party when you’re 15 years old. As a ‘young’ member of a party you get to find out more about politics and how the country is run. You also get a chance to change and inform your party of choice on issues and policies. For more info, have a look at some of the young branches of the main political parties below.

In the world

Perhaps you are passionate about global issues and want to change the world? Or maybe you see yourself as an international jetsetter – off around the world representing London’s young people?

Then these are the organisations to keep your eye on for campaigns and International opportunities

There is also a child-friendly report on The State of London’s Children (PDF).

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		How to have your say Sometimes it can feel like nobody cares what young people think or that nothing makes a difference. Well things are changing! More and more adults have to listen to young people, as part of their job, so now is a good time to tell them what you think. There are a million ways that you can have your say – like being part of a school council or youth forum. Everyone has the right to be listened to when decisions are made that affect you. You don’t have to want to be a politician to get involved – though there are now elected Young Mayors and Deputy Mayors in several London boroughs, including Newham and Lewisham! Find out how to have your say in: School London The UK The world In school Things are changing when it comes to having your say about school. The first ever Association for Secondary School Students has been set up, ESSA. And if you think your school council is no good - well get in there and change it! School Councils UK can give advice on how to get it going. Don't forget to let us know how you get on! In London Do you have lots of ideas on how to make the city better? Reckon you could be the next Mayor of London? We know that London will, more likely, be a decent place to grow up in when young people are listened to and have the chance to help make the city better. Get involved in the UK Youth Parliament. Young people from boroughs right across London can take part in the annual elections to be a young MP. If you get elected you can take part in Londonwide meetings. To the Mayor A few years ago, the Mayor asked children and young people to send in their ideas for what they would like to see in London. Over a thousand of you responded and told us what you wanted to see in the Mayor's Children and Young People’s Strategy. This is called, ‘Making London better for all children and young people’. Here is a list of some of the things you asked for and what is being done to make sure you get what you wanted: More safe places to play Money and ideas have been given to create 'home zones' in many parts of London – this means making streets and neighbourhoods safer places for kids to play in We have organised big Londonwide events, and supported local events in your local areas, to celebrate national Playday every August The Mayor has written a guide for all London councils about making good play grounds and spaces locally Cheaper and safer transport The Mayor has made all London buses and trams free for under-18s who are in full-time education Transport for London provides an education service to schools. This helps prepare children aged 10–11, travelling on their own, to make safe journeys confidently before starting secondary school Help stop bullying The Mayor is working with a charity called Beatbullying to tell everyone in London that they should help stop the bullies – this campaign is called Bully Watch London and you can phone them on 0845 338 5070 To find out what else is in the Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy check this out In the UK Are your ideas too big for London? Do you want to have your say about issues that affect the whole country? Living in the capital means you are in the middle of things and you have lots of great resources to learn about how the country is managed. Find out more about what's is happening in the country. What does the Government and parliament actually do? You can find out by visiting Young People: Directgov. This is a site for you to learn more about how the country is organised, find out who your local representative is and gives you a chance to have your say The British Youth Council represents British people under 26. This is where lots of other organisations come to find out what young people in the country are thinking. You have the chance to express your opinion and get involved in local youth groups The UK Youth Parliament gives a voice to 11 to 18 year olds. There are currently over 400 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs). Children's Rights Alliance for England will help you make sense of all the documents and jargon that politicians talk Visit the Houses of Parliament! Living in London means that you can go straight to the heart of British politics. Before you go and take a look, you can find out more about the Houses of Parliament online for fun quizzes and a virtual visit. Joining a political party You can join a political party when you’re 15 years old. As a ‘young’ member of a party you get to find out more about politics and how the country is run. You also get a chance to change and inform your party of choice on issues and policies. For more info, have a look at some of the young branches of the main political parties below. Young Labour Conservative Future Liberal Democrat Youth and Students In the world Perhaps you are passionate about global issues and want to change the world? Or maybe you see yourself as an international jetsetter – off around the world representing London’s young people? Then these are the organisations to keep your eye on for campaigns and International opportunities British Youth Council Unicef Connect youth international Raleigh International VSO There is also a child-friendly report on The State of London’s Children (PDF). Go to top of page		Related stuff Young Londoners' Network LYNK UP Crew Get involved Have your say about London