Youth Social Action Resource Hub

11 young Traveler peer researchers were trained in basic qualitative research skills and assisted in creating a questionnaire. The peer researchers interviewed 44 x 15 - 25-year-old Travelers in London about the barriers they have faced around education, both in school and at home. They were also asked for their recommendations for improvements to the education system. The research found that the experience of bullying in school is more of a norm than an exception for young Travelers in London.

KIDS, a UK national charity supporting young people with Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND), co-created a secret shopper initiative in North London with some SEND young people. As well as choosing a range of local venues to be evaluated against disability-friendly, accessibility and inclusiveness criteria, the project tackled loneliness for this group. The project addressed disability awareness across community organizations in Islington, raised the profile of disabled young people in the area, and made the community more inclusive, benefitting all local disabled people. 32 young people participated.

Hosted by Headliners, #DigitalTransitions is a youth-led programme using media and journalism engagement alongside employability programmes to give looked-after young people a safe space in which to work together to creatively explore and address the issues that matter to them. This promotes their resilience and helps them reimagine a more positive future. In June 2023, they produced their own podcast called the ‘Owt or Nowt Show’.

The resources below support the teaching of the skills needed so young people can carry out their social action projects on health. Teacher Resource: Teaching Youth Social Action - Lesson 1: What does it mean to be healthy? (PowerPoint & PDF) - To demonstrate the benefit of participating in a group mindfulness session. - Lesson 2: When is food giving me energy? (PowerPoint & PDF) - To learn about healthy food, including fruits and vegetables. - Lessons 3&4: What can my body do with energy? (PowerPoint & PDF) - To identify the role of energy in my body. & To demonstrate an understanding of how to remain healthy.

Race-based hair discrimination has been illegal in the UK since the 2010 Equalities Act, yet it still happens in schools. Black students may internalize Eurocentric beauty standards and be told that their hair textures and hairstyles are inappropriate or unattractive. The Equality & Human Rights Commission is monitoring the situation. However schools and young people can take action, such as signing up to the UK’s first Black hair code, The Halo Collective’s Halo Code. By adopting this, schools are taking a stand to ensure that no member of their community faces barriers or judgements because of their Afro-textured hair.

The Skint report is a youth-led, UK-based young people aged 16-25 years’ perspective on how young people are experiencing the cost-of-living crisis. The report was based on a survey response from 476 young people. The youth voice giving clear recommendations to policy makers and politicians, including the urgency of the situation. Findings - 97% said they thought the rising cost of living was a problem for young people aged 16-25 today. 98% of respondents are in some way worrying about their future in relation to the cost-of-living crisis.