Youth Voice in Hampshire

Every child and young person should have a say in decisions that affect them. This is something that’s protected by important international rules, like the UNC Rights of the Child and the Rights of People with Disabilities.

To make sure your voice is heard, we promise to give you chances to share your thoughts and ideas in ways that are easy to understand and take part in. We want listening to children and young people to be a normal part of how services are planned and run, right from the beginning.

There are already lots of ways for children, young people, and their parents or carers to share their views about the services they use and help shape decisions made by Hampshire County Council and its partners.  

Youth Voice groups

There are opportunities for young people to get involved in voice activities, public consultations and groups about a range of topics, depending on their interests in and what they would like to have a say about.

Hampshire SEND Youth Forum

Hampshire SEND Youth Forum is a group for young people aged 14–25 who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). It’s a place where you can share your ideas, talk about things that matter to you, and help make Hampshire better for young people with SEND.

Children in Care and Care Leavers

It is important that you have your say about the care that you receive from Hampshire County Council. Voice Empowerment is all about making sure that the services you use are shaped by your views, ideas and experiences.

#BeeWell

BeeWell regularly collects information from children and young people across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. They also host Youth Matters a group for young people to help shape the direction of the #BeeWell programme.

Hampshire Youth Parliament

Hampshire Youth Parliament are elected UK Youth Parliament members, alongside a Youth Council who engage with Hampshire County Council on a range of issues, and undertake campaigns based on the UK Youth Parliament Make Your Mark votes.

Hampshire Hospitals Youth Forum

The Hospitals Youth Forum allows young people 11-16 years old who are a patient or have used the children's health services at Basingstoke Hospital or Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester to have your say and help us to shape the way children's services at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

You only need to be able to volunteer two hours of your time, a few times a year.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and voice young people’s opinions from all across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to help shape decisions about policing and crime.

Youthwatch Hampshire

Youthwatch is a network of volunteers aged between 16 and 25 who are passionate about young people’s rights, and keen to make a difference in health and social care.

School Councils

Many schools in Hampshire have School Councils that provide a platform for children and young people to express their views and participate in decision-making process within School. Talk to your school about opportunities.

Equality and Rights Advocate (EARA) groups

Equality and Rights Advocate groups are groups of students from secondary schools across the county who work collaboratively to promote equality and child rights in their schools.

Young People - Unloc+

Young People Unloc+ is a free online platform designed with young people, for young people. It’s your one-stop place to discover exciting opportunities that can help you build skills, boost your confidence and shape your future.

On Unloc+, you can find ways to have your say, influence decisions and help organisations improve.

Other groups and ways to have your say

Co-production: helping to shape Adult Services

In Hampshire County Council Adult Services we want to make sure that people who use services are at the heart of what we do as a department. You can see all the ways you can get involved and sign up on out Co-Production website.

Hampshire Parent Carer Forum

The Hampshire Parent Carer Forum listen to parent carers and feed their views back to Hampshire County Council and the NHS. It is run by parent carers of children with SEND 0-25.

Public consultations

Get involved to help shape Hampshire County Council services!

We regularly launch public consultations. These provide opportunities for member of the public to share their thoughts on council service Connect to Support page.

We want to hear from you about the information available on this website, what more could be added and if you think any of the information is wrong.