a photo of a young person on a laptop, helping to co-produce the sparkspace learning module

Co-creating Youth-Powered Services: How SparkSpace Builds a Legacy for Libraries with Young People

At a Glance: What is SparkSpace? SparkSpace is a bold, values-led learning programme co-created with children and young people. It helps library staff across the UK build confidence, capability, and consistency in youth-powered library services. Delivered by Participation People in partnership with Libraries Rising (formerly ASCEL), and funded by The 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