Youth Voice Census

Youth Voice Census 2026

Mayor McGuinness said:
As Mayor, I have made reducing child poverty and tackling barriers to opportunities for our young people a priority. I’m writing to ask for your help in ensuring young people across the North East are heard and their lived experiences shape the decisions we make.

This year we are supporting the Youth Voice Census: a short, anonymous survey for young people aged 11–30, delivered by Youth Employment UK. It gives our young people the chance to share how they’re experiencing life, learning, and work – and, crucially, they can share their thoughts about what needs to change to improve opportunities in our region.

The insights from the Youth Voice Census will help inform my priorities going forward and help shape future support and opportunities for young people across the North East.

Listening to young people is essential to building a region where every young person can thrive, access opportunity, and feel supported. Reaching young people who are least likely to have their voices heard is especially important – including young people who are not in education or work, young carers, care-experienced young people, and those facing barriers linked to health, income, digital access, or transport.

I’d really value your support in sharing the Youth Voice Census with the young people you work with, as well as through your partners, networks, and online channels, over the coming weeks. We want as many young people as possible to have their say and make sure their voice is heard.

Thank you for everything you do to support young people across our region and for helping us listen and act on what young people tell us.

There is more information below. We hope you will support us.

About the Youth Voice Census

Open to young people aged 11–30
Takes around 15–20 minutes
Completely anonymous
Asks questions about education and training, work and careers, transport, technology, wellbeing and local communities