The BCP Youth Forum is open to all young people aged 11 – 19 from the BCP area. This opportunity provides local young people with the chance to shape projects, debate, contribute to consultations, and access a range of local, regional and national opportunities.

We meet online and in person, usually on a Wednesday evening.

In the last 12 months our Youth Forum has:

• been part of the ‘Bus back better’ consultation
• participated in a series of sessions to help shape BCP’s Local Plan
• explored the work of Active Dorset and helped inform the Physical Engagement Strategy
• informed how AUB utilise social media to engage with young people
• prioritised and discussed current papers going to Overview and Scrutiny to help the Members of Youth Parliament prepare for attending the meetings
• attended South West regional conventions to represent the local area
• contributed to the Harbourside Park Masterplan
• debated the topics identified nationally for the House of Commons Debate on Health and Well-Being
• informed the Connected Communities Team’s engagement on Covid Recovery Projects
• contributed to conversations about proposals for Youth Services transformation
• explored the development of a vision for BCP’s Children’s Services
• designed, developed, and delivered the Youth Fund Project.

UK Youth Parliament 

Nationally, the UK Youth Parliament is run by the British Youth Council. It gives 11 to 18 year olds a chance to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.

Every other year, young people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole elect:

• two members of UK Youth Parliament (MYP)
• two deputy members of Youth Parliament (DMYP).

These members represent Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole at  local, regional and national level.

They attend national events throughout the year including:

• the UK Youth Parliament's annual sitting
• the annual House of Commons debate.

They will also:

• listen to marginalised groups
• organise events
• meet MPs
• lobby for change
• organise campaigns and appear in the media.
• attend Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny meetings as co-opted members.

Over the last 18 months, the exiting MYPs launched the POP Cards resource pack they had developed and designed in October 2021.

In March 2022, the 2022 – 2024 UK Youth Parliament members for BCP were elected by over 6,000 local young people. Following their induction they have now outlined their prioritises and developed their campaigns.

• non binary friendly school uniform policy
• elected member engagement with young people
• homophobic bullying
• raising awareness of SEND
• rethinking schools approach to bullying
• access to British Sign Language lessons for young people
• tackling street harassment
• increasing cultural awareness and inclusion in schools

Members of the Youth Parliament attend the BCP Youth Forum and are running the BCP Youth Fund, where they are awarding funding to local organisations making positive differences to young people's lives.

For more information please email participation@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.