Bucks Youth Summit 2025
Introduction
The Bucks Youth Summit is a youth-led event that brings young people from across the county together to discuss the biggest issues and areas of interest for young people in Buckinghamshire.
The event is planned and hosted by young people in the Youth Voice Executive Committee.
While initially intended as a one-off event to launch Buckinghamshire’s Youth Participation Strategy and the Youth Voice Bucks programme, the Bucks Youth Summit 2023 was such a success that we decided to host it again! The Bucks Youth Summit 2024 was even bigger and better, with 237 young people from 24 schools and 8 youth groups taking part.
The next Bucks Youth Summit will take place on Monday 10 March 2025.
Read more about the Bucks Youth Summit 2024
Read more about the Bucks Youth Summit 2023
Conversation spaces
The Youth Voice Executive Committee are pleased to announce the 8 conversation spaces for the Bucks Summit 2025:
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The Mental Health Space
Young people and adults from various organisations and projects will come together to engage you in discussions and activities on mental health, including where the gaps in support are and how schools could better help young people’s wellbeing.
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The SEND Space
This space will raise awareness and understanding of SEND and foster young people’s abilities to support each other. Discuss big changes in your life and how adults can help navigate you through these with young facilitators.
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The LGBQT+ Space
Explore LGBTQ+ themes, issues and opportunities in a colourful, vibrant, and inclusive atmosphere. Connect with other young people with shared experiences and values.
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The Police Space
Ice-breakers and myth-busting will be followed by open and honest conversations around young people’s perceptions of the Police and how the Police communicate with young people to protect them.
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The Green Space
An interactive, hands-on workshop covering young people’s access to nature and the environment, from a local garden to the whole planet. The charity Lindengate and partners will lead conversation with young attendees over seed-planting and making flax bracelets.
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The Politics Space
Do you feel heard when it comes to local issues? Do councillors represent you? How should adults engage you in local issues and decisions?
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The Substance Space
A secure and private setting to delve into the reality of vaping, alcohol, drugs and the impact of social media. Share experiences and ideas with expert professionals on social norms, peer pressure, finances and health, to design projects and help you make informed decisions.
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Life After School
Do you have ideas about what you will do after you finish school? Share your views about university, jobs, gap years and apprenticeships while exploring your confidence in different life skills with other young people.
Express your interest to attend
Schools, youth groups, and EHE young people
Schools, groups and Electively Home Educated (EHE) young people are now welcome to express an interest to attend the Bucks Youth Summit 2025!
Express your interest: Schools, youth groups and EHE young people
Please note that the Youth Summit is for young people in school years 8 to 11 / ages 12 to 16.
Young people attending with youth groups may be older.
Professionals
Professionals who would like to attend as facilitators and/or marketplace stall-holders may also express their interest in getting involved!
Plan for the day
Timeline
- 9.30 – 10am: School and group arrival & registration
- 10am: Short introduction / welcome from Youth Voice
- 10.10am: Go to your 1st conversation space
- 10.45am: Go to your 2nd conversation space
- 11.20am: Break time
- 11.45am: Go to your 3rd conversation space
- 12.20pm: Lunch and marketspace
- 1.20pm: Go to your 4th conversation space
- Closing remarks
- Home time at 2:15pm
View the event brochure
Why attend?
The Bucks Youth Summit offers a powerful opportunity for young people to share their voice and make a positive difference.
Dozens of Council services and partner organisations get involved, finding creative ways to meaningfully engage young attendees.
The conversations don’t end on the day. The Youth Voice Bucks team continue working with the professionals involved all year round to ensure the insights gained from young people on the day are turned into meaningful action.
The event is run by youth participation experts in partnership with young facilitators.
The result is a fun, effective, and accessible platform that empowers our young attendees.
Feedback from school staff and group leads
- “The students were overjoyed to be listened to”
- “Such a well-organised event from planning stages to today. Very inclusive and accessible.”
- “A safe space for our pupils to share their views”
Feedback from young attendees
- “Interesting talks and fun activities”
- “I enjoyed that everyone could say anything without being judged”
- “Talks and stalls were interesting. Whole area felt very welcoming, safe and inclusive.The Quiet Space was helpful”.
Project timeline
- September 2024
Comms launched. Schools, groups and Electively Home Educated young people are asked to express their interest by Friday 25 October 2024. - October 2024
Conversation spaces announced. - November 2024
Time for schools to identify which students they would like to bring and which conversation spaces those students will attend. - December 2024
Information on which students are attending and which conversation spaces they will access to be returned to the Youth Voice Bucks team before the Christmas break. - January 2025
Lots of workshops for young facilitators and our young journalists to prepare for the big day.
The event brochure will be published. - February 2025
Youth Voice Bucks and schools/groups will communicate about the final details for the event (such as minibus parking, staff attendance, reasonable adjustments). - March 2025
The event will take place on Monday 10 March 2025!
Any questions?
Please feel free to email youthvoicebucks@buckinghamshire.gov.uk with any questions.
We look forward to welcoming you!