Having your voice heard

Highland Youth Parliament (HYP) is a key way for young people to have their voices and opinions heard.

Over 100 members are elected from across Highland, from every High School and from Local Youth Forums. Elections take place every two years. 

Empoweing young people to take creative cation on issues locally and globally. Highland One World supports young people to participate and have a voice in shaping a fairer and more sustainable future.

Youth Highland works in partnership with young people to plan and deliver youth projects to make a difference in their lives and communities. By visiting their website and clicking on 'Youth' you can find out more about Youth Highland youth work projects and how to get involved. 

Inspiring Young Voices aim is to promote participation by enabling children and young people to have their voices heard where and when they wish. They support and advise them on how to raise awareness and influence positive change in matters they see as important. Ensuring their human rights are upheld, creating increased opportunities and a continually improving quality of life and holding people to account. 

The Calman Trust have developed an App called Just Answers.

The webpage gives practical advice on ways of looking after yourself to avoid getting into difficult situations. Frequent questions such as ‘what do I do if I can’t afford to pay my rent, and where can I go for help?’ can be answered via the app.

Fusion is High Life Highland’s  open access programme for young people to get involved through youth work. Fusion offers something for everyone whether that is through the various activities which include but are not limited to; sport, arts and craft, life skills and issues based projects or just a place to meet up and chat and/or be listened to and positively regarded for who they are. 

The Children and Young People section of the website contains information to support you, your wellbeing and mental health and provides information about your Rights, moving schools or if you’re thinking ahead to leaving school. You will also find direct contact information if you need to talk to someone, get help or advice 

The Young Carers page on the Young Scot website provides information on how to apply for the young carers package, carer's allowance and the young carers grant.

There is information about caring for people and lots of stories from other young people who have experience of being a young carer.

What is it like being a young person in Scotland today?

Hear from other young people from across Scotland through a series of blogs and content on the issues that matter most to them.

Find out more about how you can create content for Young Scot.

LGBT Youth Scotland empower young people to achieve their own goals by taking part in the youth work that they offer.

They ensure the places young people live, learn and work are inclusive, through their equality accreditation programme, the LGBT Charter. 

They work to amplify the voices of young people. Their youth participation and policy work positions young people as experts in their own lives so they can reach decision makers and create positive change. 

Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland's only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. Their strategic vision is to secure a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people in Scotland. At the heart of their work are the rights of Care Experienced people and the power their voices have to bring about change. 

In Scotland, children have the right to be involved in decisions about their support at school. A lot of the time, children are supported by parents, carers or adults at school to take part in these conversations.  But sometimes, it can be hard for children to speak up if they feel they aren’t being heard or getting the support they need.

My Rights, My Say advocacy support helps children with additional support needs aged 12 – 15 share their views and speak up about what’s important to them at school.

Youth Just Us is open to those aged 16-25, who have experience of the care and/or justice systems. If you want your views to be heard (and acted on), and to play your part in changing the future of youth justice in Scotland, plus meet new people and do something a wee bit different with your time, then this is the group for you. As well as the CYCJ site, you can find more information on the STAF website.

Delivered in partnership with Scottish Government, the Young Islanders Network aims to build a community for young islanders and empower them to help make the National Islands Plan work for young people.

The mermaids website is a safe place for transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse young people to find support and help one another.

Mermaids has secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources and events. 

They seek to educate and inform wider society on gender identity.