These young people have dedicated their time to discovering how other young people across the county want to be heard. It all started in June 2025 after a successful recruitment drive, and kicked off the research in person at Didcot Youth Fest.

They wanted to create a conversation corner for young people instead of just giving them another survey to fill out. There were survey elements and also the space for art-based activities, which engaged young people further. This was a beneficial start to the process that saw many successes throughout:

Youth Voice is one of the most powerful vehicles for effective change, and this has been recognised in the Youth Matters, the national youth strategy. It is vital that we listen to, work with and co-produce with young people to find solutions that will help other young people. Youth voice is about recognising that young people have areas of expertise that professionals sometimes lack, and vice versa. When these collaborative efforts come together, powerful changes can be made! 

We are so proud of the work of the Youth Voice Champions and the team, but we are not done just yet…

We want you to help us shape the future of Youth Voice!

We are looking for more young people aged 14-25 to join the team to co-produce the official Youth Voice Strategy Oxfordshire. 

We don’t want you to miss out on this creative, collaborative and impactful opportunity.

If you are a young person who is interested in this or know someone who is, sign up to become a youth voice champion to be part of the change you would like to see.

Navigating the world as a young trans person is already difficult, especially in a world that too often invalidates and endangers them.

Our Youth Sector Development Coordinator, Mia Clement (She/They), expressed that they’ve seen how anti-LGBTQ+ decisions like this have reverberated through the youth sector.

“They leave trans young people feeling more isolated, less safe, and more uncertain about where they can exist authentically. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s unacceptable.

I believe in trans youth’s right to be seen, respected, and protected. This judgment doesn’t change that. If anything, it’s a reminder of how urgently we need to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and to challenge the narratives that seek to undermine the identities and lives of trans people.

I also stand with the youth workers, educators, and organisations who are doing the quiet, vital work of making spaces safer, more affirming, and more just. Your work matters. Your courage matters.”

Here at Oxfordshire Youth, we know how vital it is to create accepting, understanding, and respectful spaces for transgender people EVERYDAY and show our young people and the young people of Oxford what it means to be an inclusive community.

Together, we can create a world of acceptance and understanding.

To any young person reading this who feels shaken or unwelcome: you matter. You are not alone. You deserve dignity, love, and joy—exactly as you are. We are with you!

If you need help and support, please reach out to the organisations below:

Switchboard LGBT

Mermaids

Mind Out

LGBT Foundation

Papyrus UK

Galop

Gendered Intelligence

Young Minds UK

Topaz Oxford

LGBTQ+ Oxfordshire

TransOxford

Oxford Pride

YWMP

TRAIN

We want to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and impact that define this year. In just over 12 months, Oxfordshire Youth supported over 1,800 young people, 1,300 youth workers, and 150 organisations that collectively provide vital services for more than 32,000 young people across the county. This incredible work is under-resourced and underfunded, yet it continues to achieve small but mighty outcomes.

Self-care is a gift we should keep giving, especially during this season. Please look after yourself this Christmas. If you need more information about tips for coping at Christmas, visit the Mind website. 

Over the next 12 sleeps, join us as we reflect on some of the highlights that brought joy, growth, and hope to our journey, along with a glance to the future. Let’s celebrate these moments together.