a photo of a man smoking a cigarette

Powerful Peer-Led Campaigns: How Southwark Empowered & Engaged Young People on Substance Misuse

The Brief Southwark Council has partnered with Participation People to give young people the tools and knowledge to make healthier choices around alcohol, drugs, and smoking. Over several years, the collaboration has focused on improving young people’s health, reducing crime, and creating a safer, more supportive environment in the borough. Read more

By Em Priest, ago
Close-up of a child's eye highlighting innocence and trust in public consultation processes.

The Seven Sins of Consultation and Why Public Consultation is a Lie

Let’s be honest. Most consultation is theatre. We dress it up in good intentions, brightly coloured post-its, and feedback forms. But underneath, it’s control dressed as care. We sit young people in circles, give them pizza and pens, and call it empowerment. Then the strategy launches, the decision’s made, and Read more

a group of women sat at a table working, discussing safeguarding participation

From Tokenism to Transformation: How Youth Voice Transformed Safeguarding Participation Across the North West

Executive Summary In 2024–2025, Participation People led a bold, values-led transformation across 24 Safeguarding Partnerships in the North West, the region with the highest number of care-experienced young people in England. Our mission? To embed the voices of babies, children, young people, parents, carers, and families into the heart of Read more

By Em Priest, ago