Young people hold the key to shaping communities that truly meet their needs. When youth voices lead, the solutions created are more relevant, effective, and lasting. Recently, the Youth Board took over BoxPark Croydon, demonstrating how young people can confidently influence spaces and decisions that affect them. This event marked a significant step in building environments where youth participation is not just welcomed but central.

The Youth Board’s Leadership at BoxPark Croydon

The Youth Board co-hosted the event, spoke with community members, and led discussions, presentations, and panels that reflected their priorities and concerns. This gave them the opportunity to get involved and help shape the spaces intended to serve them.

This approach highlights a crucial truth: young people are essential partners in safeguarding and community development. Their direct involvement helps create solutions that work in real life, not just on paper. The Youth Board’s leadership at BoxPark showed how youth voices can transform a public space into a platform for meaningful dialogue and action.

The Voice of the Child Conference 2025

Building on the momentum from BoxPark, Reaching Higher co-hosted the Voice of the Child Conference 2025. This event brought together professionals, organisations, and young people to focus on the power of youth voice in safeguarding and community work. The conference was a collaborative effort with the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the South London Partnership, and BoxPark.

The conference featured speakers who shared valuable insights on how to amplify youth voice and create systems where young people feel genuinely heard. Key themes included contextual safeguarding, youth participation, and meaningful engagement. These discussions reinforced the importance of listening to young people and involving them in decisions that impact their lives.

Why Youth Voice Matters

Youth voice is not just a nice addition to have in your organisations; it is essential. When young people contribute their perspectives, safeguarding strategies become more responsive and effective. They can identify risks and solutions that adults might overlook.

The Voice of the Child Conference highlighted how youth participation leads to:

• Better understanding of young people’s experiences

• More relevant and practical safeguarding measures

• Stronger trust between young people and professionals

• Increased confidence and leadership skills among young people

• Providing regular opportunities for youth leadership

• Ensuring adults listen and respond to youth input

• Recognising youth contributions as valuable and impactful

  
  

When centering youth voices, communities can build safer environments that reflect the realities of young people’s lives.

How You Can Support Youth Voice

Supporting youth voice benefits everyone. Here are practical ways individuals and organisations can contribute:

• Invite young people to participate in planning and decision-making

• Create safe, welcoming spaces for youth to share ideas

• Offer mentorship and skill-building opportunities

• Recognise and celebrate youth achievements

• Partner with youth-led groups and boards

  
  

By taking these actions, communities can ensure young people have a real say in shaping their futures.

Next Steps

For those who missed the conference, there are many upcoming opportunities to get involved. Supporting youth voice is a shared responsibility that benefits the whole community.

Get involved in our workshops and training opportunities, designed to support you and your teams in your schools and community, while strengthening Contextual Youth Work and Youth Voice.