Introduction
Welcome to the latest edition of DCMS Youth Team Newsletter. This edition includes recent announcements on our programmes; ministerial updates; and links to new research and evaluation reports.
Our team is still working hard to ensure that we are ready to launch the National Youth Strategy, later this year.
Youth Empowerment Spotlights
#iwill Week – Meet the new Co-Chairs of the #iwill Movement
The #iwill Movement empowers young people aged 10–25 across the UK to lead social action, working with towns and cities of social action like Blackpool and Ipswich to show that social change often begins and is driven by young people and their communities. It is supported with funding from DCMS.
Written by Molly Taylor and Henry Hughes DLY
‘’Stepping into our new roles as co-chairs, we are leading the movement by sharing power with young people and their communities, championing belonging, and ensuring #iwill remain visible in every community and in the lives of young people.
This week marks #iwill Week, an annual campaign led by #iwill Ambassadors. This year’s theme, “What do you stand for?” – created by the ambassadors themselves – invites reflection on the values that unite us: truth, dignity, justice, community, and joy. Events led by ambassadors across the country are bringing these values to life.We are also proud of our Youth Collaborators from diverse backgrounds and regions across England who have ensured young people’s voices are heard and represented in the development of the National Youth Strategy.’’
UK Youth Parliament annual sitting in the House of Commons
The UK Youth Parliament Annual Sitting took place on Thursday 6th November, attended by over 200 Members of Youth Parliament from across the UK and youth representatives from the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. The day included some fantastic debates on a wide range of issues, including a special debate in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Second World War.
Written by Oli Porter, Member of Youth Parliament for Surrey.
“Being part of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) has been an incredible opportunity to represent young people and make a real difference. It gives me a platform to speak out about issues that matter to the young people I represent, while working with passionate peers, and helping shape decisions that affect our generation’s future across the UK.
This year’s sitting in the House of Commons was fantastic, packed with so many talented young speakers, debating the topics that mattered most to young people across the UK. I had the opportunity of introducing the debate for Housing, a privilege I will carry with me forever. Talking to young people in my local area is so important to me, finding out what concerns young people have and what they would like to see changed.
Our Annual Conference over the Summer is where I worked with other MYP’s to create a committee report that outlines our policy motions to move forward, and our priorities to focus on. The experience has strengthened my confidence, leadership, and understanding of how young people can drive real, lasting change in our communities and across the country.”
New curriculum to give young people the skills for life and work
The government has responded to the recommendations of Professor Becky Francis’s independent Curriculum and Assessment Review.
We will prepare young people for life and careers by embedding applied knowledge and skills in financial, media and digital literacy in the national curriculum and making citizenship compulsory in key stages 1 and 2.
We will also set out a new core enrichment offer for every pupil, which delivers access to civic engagement; arts and culture; nature, outdoor and adventure; sport and physical activities; and developing wider life skills.
Working closely with the sector, we are working towards a first teaching of the new curriculum from September 2028 and a phased approach to new GCSE teaching from September 2029. Proposals will be consulted on from 2026, to ensure we are capturing the important views from those most impacted.
Rugby League legends tackle male loneliness with Government-backed programme
Boys and young men in Wakefield and Wigan will benefit from a new sense of community, purpose and wellbeing as the Government teams up with independent charity Rugby League Cares to tackle male loneliness. This is part of the Government’s plans to break down barriers to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.
Rugby League legends Keith Senior and Adrian Morley are among a group of former players leading pilot programmes across the two regions. They will kickstart honest conversations about male mental health and help young men build confidence and resilience, so they are better equipped to cope when life gets tough.
Government partners with The King’s Trust and Idris Elba to unlock creative careers for young people
DCMS is providing £500,000 funding in this financial year to support the Creative Futures project,delivered through The King’s Trust in partnership with the Elba Hope Foundation.
Creative Futures was developed by Idris Elba and the Elba Hope Foundation, in partnership with The King’s Trust, to help young people access careers in the creative industries. DCMS’ funding will provide free opportunities for 400 young people, aged 16-30 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of being NEET, to gain skills and experience on a Creative Futures programme. Areas covered by this programme will include Greater Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol and the South West, and the South Coast.
New drug awareness campaign – resources available
The government has launched a new drugs awareness campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, synthetic opioids in counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes.
Resources are available for schools, universities, local public health teams and other youth organisations on FRANK, the drug information website.
Contact us: youth@dcms.gov.uk
Webpage: Gov.uk/DCMS
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