How to have Your Say

Sometimes it can feel like nobody cares what young people think or that nothing you do makes a difference. Well, things are changing! And the Jack Petchey Foundation "Speak Out" Challenge! is leading the way. You have gained a new skill and now you want to use it. The good news is that more and more adults have to listen to young people as part of their job, so today is a good time to tell them what you think.

There are a million ways you can have your say. You all have the right to be heard when decisions are made that affect you. And, you don�t have to be an aspiring politician to get involved!

By the way, if you have any ideas on How to Have Your Say, email us on info@speakoutchallenge.com and we will include it here.

More ways to use your new skills..

Top 10 Ways to use your New Skills

In school

Things are changing when it comes to having your say about school. The first ever Association for Secondary School Students has just been launched - ESSA

And, if you think your school council is no good - well get in there and change it! School Councils UK can give you some good advice.

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

In London

Got lots of ideas about how to make the city better? Reckon you are the next Mayor of London?

We know that London will be a decent place to grow up in when young people are listened to and have the chance to help make the city better.

Over the next year the Mayor of London is planning lots of events for young people to come together and help make a difference to what goes on in the capital. Watch this space for more information.

In the meantime, there are other ways that you can get involved. Write in and take part in discussions on the website - the whole point of the young Londoners website is for you to tell us what it is like being a young Londoner.

Get involved in the UK Youth Parliament. Young people from boroughs across London can take part in annual elections to become young MPs. If you get elected, you can get involved in London regional meetings.

Making London better for all children and young people

Last year the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, asked young people to send in their ideas for what they would like to see in London. Over 1,000 children and young people sent in suggestions and these were used in the Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy.

Here is a list of some of the things you asked for and what is being done to make sure you get what you want:

More safe places to play

Money and ideas have been given to create 'home zones' - this means making streets and neighbourhoods safer places for kids to play.
Every year we organise a big event to celebrate national Playday
The Mayor is giving advice to all the councils about making good play grounds locally

Cheaper and safer transport

The Mayor has made all London buses free for the under 16s
Sixteen and 17 year olds can now get the child fare on tubes and buses if they carry a 16-17 photo card

Help stop bullying

The Mayor is working with a charity called Beatbullying to tell everyone in London that they should help stop the bullies

To find out what else is in the Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy check this out

In the UK

Too big for London? Do you want to have your say about issues that affect the whole country? Living in the capital means that you are in the middle of things and you have lots of great resources to discover more about how the country is managed. Find out more about what's is happening in the country.

What does the Government and parliament actually do? You can find out by visiting Young People: Directgov. This is a site for you to learn more about how the country is organised, who your local representative is and it gives you a chance to have your say.

The British Youth Council represents British people under 26. This is where lots of other organisations come to find out what young people in the country are thinking. You have the chance to express your opinion and get involved in local youth groups.

The UK Youth Parliament gives a voice to 11 to 18 year olds. There are currently over 400 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs).
Children's Rights Alliance for England will help you make sense of all the documents and jargon that politicians talk.

Visit the Houses of Parliament! Living in London means you can go straight to the heart of British politics. Before you take a look, find out more about the Houses of parliament online for fun quizzes and a virtual visit.

Join a political party

You can join a political party when you�re 15 years old. As a �young� member of a party you discover more about politics and how the country is run. You also get a chance to change and inform your party on issues and policies. To find out more, have a look at some of the young branches of the main political parties below:

In the world

Passionate about global issues and want to change the world? Or do you see yourself as an international jetsetter � off around the world representing London�s young people?

Then these are the organisations to keep your eye on for campaigns and International opportunities: