Entitled Deliver You, a play on the Deliveroo takeaway brand, the listening campaign is inviting young people to their say on support services, facilities and opportunities they need outside the school gates.
Ahead of the National Youth Strategy, consultees aged 10-21 years old, and up to 25 years old for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are invited to input both in-person and online, with a survey running until 16 April.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) describes the campaign as being "powered by" the social action movement #iWill, engagement charity My Life My Say and market research consultancy Savanta, and co-ordinated by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth.
Engagement events include peer-led focus groups known as ‘democracy cafes’, and workshop sessions.
The strategy aims to prioritise delivering better coordinated youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy claimed the consultation is "one of the most ambitious listening exercises for a generation", as part of the government's 'Plan for Change', adding: “We are handing power back to young people and their communities, giving them a genuine opportunity to help make the policies that affect their lives."
Some 13 young people have already formed a youth advisory group (YAG), with members spanning multiple sectors and with experience across advocacy, violence prevention, social mobility and mental health.
They include member of London’s Violence Reduction Unit Young People’s Action Group Jhemar Jones; Yahye Abdi, youth development coordinator at youth community interest company Hope Collective, and Member of Youth Parliament Zafeera Karim.
Providing expertise and challenging thinking will be an expert advisory group (EAG), which is made up of 14 experts from a variety of sectors.
Young people will also be able to take part in ‘hackathon’ events, collaborating with others alongside youth engagement experts and professional researchers to try and solve some of the most pressing issues they are facing.
YAG member and Sea Cadet Corp volunteer Munachiso Thornton, said: "It is encouraging to see that outstanding individuals from a wide range of backgrounds have been recruited for the youth advisory group, and we shall endeavour to authentically represent and amplify youth experiences.
"It is my earnest hope that the result of our input will contribute to a strategy that truly services young people of the UK."
Co-chair of #iWill Movement Sami Gichki, added: "The National Youth Strategy isn’t something that has been decided, it is open - it will be shaped by young people so that it will be fit for purpose. It is hope; hope for creating a Britain where young people don’t just survive but thrive."
Associate director of policy at charity Centre for Mental Health Kadra Abdinasir, said she is "hopeful" that the strategy will help create a "more confident and supported generation that feels heard, regardless of their background".
Young autistic actor and author Bradley Riches said: "As a young person who has faced challenges growing up neurodivergent, I know how important it is to feel heard and understood.
"This initiative is an incredible opportunity for young people to have a say in shaping the support and services that will directly impact their futures."
More on the groups involved: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-partners-with-young-people-to-help-develop-new-national-youth-strategy
