Leeds Youth Voice

Our ambition

The Child Friendly Leeds ambition is for ‘all children and young people to be able to express their views, feel heard and be involved in decisions that affect their lives’. It wishes for all children and young people to:

• have a greater awareness of the different ways they can share their views and ideas
• know how to influence change within their school and community
• have access to support and training to develop their skills and confidence to enable them to have a voice and influence

Get involved

The Voice, Influence and Change team run the following city-wide programmes:

• Leeds SEND Youth Council
  11 to 25 years with additional needs
• Leeds Youth Council
  10 to 18 years
• Leeds Members of Youth Parliament
  14 to 18 years can apply
  11 to 18 years can vote
• The Care Leavers Council
  17 to 25 years
• Children in Care Council
  10 to 17 years
• Leeds Children's Mayor
  Year 5 children can enter
  18 and under can vote
• Make Your Mark
  11 to 18 years

We also work in partnership with different council services to offer community-based opportunities:

• Community Committee Youth Summits
  8 to 17 years
• Youth Service
  11 to 17 years

What you can expect

Any opportunity you take part in will be on a voluntary basis.

Hours of commitment are generally flexible, although elected roles have more specific attendance requirements.

Vouchers are often provided for participation in sessions and bus vouchers are provided when support for travel is needed.