Charlotte, 20, sits on the NYA’s National Steering Group for the Local Youth Transformation programme and was part of the team that undertook the review in Brighton. Alongside studying for a Physical Geography degree at Aberystwyth University, she volunteers with the Isle of Wight Youth Trust and BEAT Eating Disorders. In this blog, Charlotte share’s her reflections of being involved in the 2026 Annual Youth Work Conference and the importance of youth voice.
It was a privilege to be involved in this year’s Annual Youth Work Conference, on 27 Ebrill, hosted by the Youth Endowment Fund in partnership with the National Youth Agency. The event gave me the opportunity to share what I’ve learnt about co-creating a local youth offer through my role as a Local Youth Transformation (LYT) assessor, along with my wider experiences volunteering in the youth sector.
Events such as this are crucial; providing space for reflection, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise around how youth services are shaped – and how young people are placed at the centre of that process.
Charlotte,
Local Youth Transformation Ambassador
But this conference felt distinctively different to others I’ve attended … In every session, young people had a voice. From the opening remarks to the ever-important last words and at every point in between. We sat on panels, responded to questions, engaged in conversations and networked with over a hundred attendees! We also had the chance to put questions to service leaders from across the country as part of the panel discussions, ensuring a consistent focus on those who matter most – young people themselves.
My role to date as an LYT assessor has enabled me to advocate for young people’s voices to be heard – but this isn’t the end goal. Rather, the real ambition must be co-production – where young people are actively involved in shaping, designing and delivering the services they access. Young people are best placed to tell us what is working and what is not, what needs to change and what should be pursued. This approach ensures young people’s experiences, ideas and priorities are at the centre of decision making. I hope that the LYT programme will continue to work with local authorities across the country to make this aspiration a reality.
How can youth services remain relevant in a rapidly changing world? What makes the biggest difference when shaping a youth provision? When are services at their strongest for young people? These three questions asked during the conference have stuck with me … and my answer to each one? Maximise the integration of youth voice throughout youth provision. When young people are meaningfully engaged, they feel heard, respected, and able to influence the systems that affect their lives. That sense of ownership is powerful and should never be underestimated.
The future may be uncertain, but strong, trusted relationships in youth work will remain essential, even as services continue to adapt to young people’s changing needs.
Young people’s lives are increasingly being shaped by digital spaces, shifting communities, and evolving pressure on mental health and wellbeing. In response, youth work must remain flexible, responsive and rooted in its core foundations.
At the same time, there is a continual requirement for mutual learning. Young people bring invaluable insight from their lived experiences, while those working within services bring knowledge of systems and structures. The collaboration between these perspectives produces real potential for meaningful change.
The value of sharing ideas and experiences at events like this cannot be overstated, and the amazing opportunity to represent young people is something I will never take for granted. I hope that the conference creates a lasting ripple effect – strengthening youth voice, shaping services and ultimately improving the experiences of young people across the country.
