The National Youth Strategy, ‘Youth Matters’, sets out a ten-year vision for young people with three bold shifts: from national to local, from fragmented to collaborative, and from excluded to empowered.
Now it is time to turn that strategy into action.
At a glance
Between March and April 2026, the National Youth Agency and partners delivered a series of Regional Roadshow events to support delivery of Youth Matters (the National Youth Strategy) in communities across England.
Professionals from across the youth sector came together to explore what the strategy means in practice, share regional insight and agree what needs to happen next.
- Explore what we heard and what it means for local delivery
- Stay involved and access follow-up resources
What the roadshow delivered
The roadshow events supported meaningful local implementation of the National Youth Strategy by:
- Connecting national priorities with regional data, insight and lived experience
- Bringing together partners across youth work, education, health, housing, policing, local government and the voluntary sector, reflecting how young people experience services Creating space for practical discussion on funding, workforce, partnerships, youth voice and delivery
- Identifying immediate next steps participants could take back to their organisations and local areas
Each event combined national context with locally led discussion, so actions reflect the realities facing young people.
What we heard
Across all 11 events, participants consistently highlighted:
- Long-term investment in the youth workforce
- Place-based delivery built on strong local partnerships
- Youth voice that is listened to -and acted on
- Shared data, learning and practical tools that support local action
We’re collating feedback from every event and sharing it with national and regional partners to inform delivery and future review of the strategy.
From insights to action: next steps
Insights, relationships and momentum built from the roadshows will now lead to action in the sector. They were the catalyst to:
- Inform local and regional youth offer development through Regional Youth Work Units
- Shape national programmes and funding approaches linked to the National Youth Strategy
- Feed into the two-year strategic review and longer-term accountability for delivery
Participants will receive follow-up resources, presentations and summaries to support continued action in their areas.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, hosted, facilitated and supported our Regional Roadshow. Your expertise, honesty and commitment are vital to ensuring the National Youth Strategy delivers real change for young people over the next decade.
If you’d like to stay engaged with future activity, please contact events@nya.org.uk.
Tuesday 24 March
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