Monmouthshire’s young people make their mark

Monmouthshire’s Make your Mark is an annual county-wide youth-led ballot used to increase the participation of young people in decision making. The Youth Service facilitates and co-ordinates the ballot, providing young people with a valuable opportunity to vote on the issues in order of importance to them. Nearly three-quarters (3,509) of 11 to 18-year-olds in education settings voted in the most recent ballot. The most common issues were discussed at a youth conference held in County Hall with 45 young people attending to share their experiences and viewpoints and to create recommendations for schools, services and policy makers. Young people stated clearly that the top three priorities were the cost of living, mental health matters, and employment and skills. The youth service subsequently provides young people with progress reports on the actions taken on recommendations from the previous year.Through taking part in the ballot and attending the conference many young people express their views clearly and democratically. Their voices make a tangible difference to policy. For example, progress on recommendations following the 2024 ballot include, strengthening student voice with an emphasis on co-production of inclusive well-being policies in schools; introducing a Passport to Leisure scheme to reduce the cost of leisure centre access; and expanding bus services in rural areas to align more closely with school schedules.

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