Do you feel that you would like to change your community? Do you feel passionate about something? Do you know how to get your voice heard?
It is important that everyone has the opportunity to have their say, and that people listen to you, especially when this directly affects you.
So, if you are happy to have people ask what you think, feel happy to talk about your ideas and have people listen to you - how do you get your voice heard?
There are several groups and organisations that you can join, with the added bonus of being with like-minded young people. Or, you can take part in consultations about the things you feel are important.
Lambeth SEND Youth Forum
Lambeth is relaunching its SEND Youth Forum, a group for young people aged 14 to 25 with SEND who live, study or work in Lambeth. This forum is for young people who want to improve education, health and social care services, work on fun projects, learn new skills and meet new people.
The forum will meet every two weeks in the Brixton Library, 2 Brixton Oval, SW2 1JQ. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The dates of the upcoming meetings:
Thursday 24 October 5-7pm
Saturday 9 November 2-4pm
Thursday 21 November 5-7pm
Saturday 7 December 2-4pm
Thursday 19 December 5-7pm
Don’t worry if you can’t make a meeting, you can join at any time. There will be rewards for people who keep coming, like outings and activities that you decide on.
Contact Lulu Pinkney, our SEND Youth Involvement Coordinator, if you would like more information.
Join the Lambeth SEND Youth Forum
Lambeth SEND Young Inspectors programme
Our SEND Young Inspectors programme ensures that young people with SEND have a meaningful role in shaping local decisions, services and spaces. Inspectors are invited to review local services and provide their feedback and recommendations on how to improve them.
In July 2024, a team of young inspectors reviewed the ‘I’m a young person’ section of the Local Offer.
Read the Young Inspectors Local Offer inspection report to find out more about their feedback and recommendations on how to improve it.
Contact Lulu Pinkney, our SEND Youth Involvement Coordinator, if you'd like to know more about this exciting opportunity.
Lambeth Youth Council
A group of young people making positive changes by being directly involved in decision making, running projects, setting up events and create campaigns about issues that young people care about in Lambeth. Find out more about the Lambeth Youth Council and how you can apply to join.
UK Youth Parliament
An opportunity for 11 to 18 year olds to stand for election as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP). It provides opportunities for young people to bring about social change through meaningful campaigning. Find out more about UK Youth Parliament.
Student councils and student unions
Ask at your sixth form or college about having a voice in your school or college.
Voting and consultations
If you are 18 or over, you can vote in local and general elections. You need to make sure you are on the electoral register. MENCAP have guides to voting on their website.
Lambeth runs public consultations on a range of issues that may effect you.