Engagement, Participation and Youth Voice
We believe creating connections, belonging, participation and influence are vital for young people. By creating opportunities to connect, try new things and have their voices heard, we help young people build confidence, develop new skills and thrive.
What we do
Taking part in activities and having opportunities to shape decisions can have a lasting impact on a young person’s confidence and wellbeing. That’s why engagement and participation are woven throughout 1625.
We offer a wide range of activities designed to help young people connect with others, discover new interests and step outside their comfort zones. From cooking and wellbeing sessions to sports, kayaking, bowling and creative workshops, young people can take part in activities that reflect a range of interests. Young people can also get involved in recruitment panels, our Youth Board and other opportunities to influence our services and ensure their voices are heard.
Through these opportunities, young people can build relationships, develop practical skills, grow in confidence and play an active role in shaping their own journey, the future of 1625 and things that matter to them.
Our impact in action
In 2024 – 2025
81 %
of young people have built, developed, or improved one or more positive relationships or relationships building skills.
75 %
of young people who volunteered or had support from a volunteer reported improvements in their confidence, skills, and knowledge
29
young people participated in activities making a positive contribution to 1625 Independent People
Relationship Building
Positive, healthy relationships and friendships with other people are vital to young people. They enable them to feel safe and are good for their well-being. While some relationships are positive, many of the young people we support have experienced difficult relationships; the most common reason for a young person to become homeless is through family breakdown.
Our Psychologically Informed Environments framework commits to using trusting relationships as the primary tool for change, providing a ‘secure base’ for young people to develop stability, trust, skills, and social networks and progress towards independence. Our approach is young people-centred and underpinned by our ethos of keeping young people at the heart of everything we do.
We help young people build supportive and consistent relationships, become less reliant on services, and are better equipped to navigate the path to adulthood and independence.
Positive Contribution
Independent People Ambassadors (IPA) – 1625’s Youth Board
Our Independent People Ambassadors (IPA) Board gives young people the opportunity to influence the future of 1625 and help shape the services we provide and the wider context we exist in. Working alongside staff, IPA members share their experiences, contribute to decision-making and represent the voices of young people across the organisation.
As well as driving positive change, being part of IPA helps young people develop valuable skills, build confidence and gain experience in leadership, communication and advocacy that can support their future ambitions.
“Being part of IPA looks really good on my CV and will help my college application”
Youth voice
Media Representatives Initiative
One way we aim to centre youth voices across 1625 is through our Youth Media Representatives initiative, where young people are supported to tell their own stories and share lived experiences in a safe and meaningful way.
Through media training and creative sessions, young people build confidence in storytelling, public speaking and engaging with media. They explore how to talk about the issues that matter to them, from homelessness and care experience to identity, mental health and life in their own words.
The project is about centring young people in conversations that often happen about them rather than with them, helping ensure their perspectives shape how their stories are told across 1625’s communications and wider public platforms.
Interested in working with young people on media projects? Get in touch with our communications team below.
“I love using my voice to help others”
Explore our other pillars
Accommodation
We provide safe, affordable accommodation and housing support to help young people build stability, independence and a place to call home.
Education and Employment Training
We support young people to access education, employment and training opportunities, helping them build skills, confidence and positive futures
Wellbeing and Mental Health
We help young people improve their wellbeing and mental health through practical support, trusted relationships and access to specialist services.
Youth Participation and Voice
We create opportunities for young people to have their voices heard, build connections, influence change and develop a sense of purpose and belonging.
