Votes at 16: Yorkshire academics and youth workers highlight urgent need for political conversations with young people

Young people are politically socialising themselves via social media - they need other voices in the mix

 As today’s current Year 7s (12 and 13 year olds) are set to get the vote within a few years, academics are highlighting the important role youth work can play in engaging young people with politics. Dr Carole Pugh, Senior Lecturer in Children, Young People and Education at York St John University says a cohesive approach to the political socialisation of young people is vital so they feel that they can and should vote. 

Dr Pugh is inviting interested parties, especially youth work practitioners, educators, researchers and policymakers to a webinar titled "Youth Work and Votes at 16: Supporting Young People to Vote." The event will address the significance of youth work in fostering political engagement among young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who are less likely to participate in formal citizenship education.  

It will also discuss the barriers that currently impede youth work's capacity to support political socialisation and propose practical recommendations to enhance its democratic potential.  

Dr Carole Pugh will lead the presentation. As well as her role of Senior Lecturer in Children, Young People and Education at York St John University, Dr Pugh brings over 25 years of experience as a qualified youth worker in both statutory and voluntary sectors. Responses will be provided by Dr Andrew Mycock, Chief Policy Fellow at the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network, and Charlee Bewsher, an experienced youth worker and manager from the Yorkshire and Humber Youth Work Unit.  

Dr Pugh said:  

“Youth work regularly engages around 4.4 million young people, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, and are less likely to vote, yet its role in supporting democratic engagement is often overlooked. If extending the voting age to 16 year olds is going to achieve its aim of future proofing democracy it is vital that youth work’s significant role in supporting young people’s political socialisation is recognised.  

“Young people are politically socialising themselves via social media - they need other voices in the mix. Youth work creates informal learning opportunities in a variety of settings including community centres and online spaces. Youth workers build trusted relationships with young people to help them discover their talents, make informed decisions and actively participate in their communities.  

“The webinar will look at clear, practical, research-based steps that can be taken by attendees to increase youth work’s capacity to support newly enfranchised young voters to feel sufficiently politically socialised, engaged, and literate to vote for the first time.” 

Charlee Bewsher, Strategy Manager for the Yorkshire & Humber Youth Work Unit said:  

“With the voting franchise soon to be extended to 16 and 17 year olds, youth work will continue to play a vital role in supporting and educating young people. Not only to understand their rights, the processes and principles of democracy and voting, but also that nearly all the choices we make are political, from where you choose to shop to what transport you use.   

“Youth Work as informal education, complements what young people learn in school, providing opportunities to develop skills and knowledge, explore topics, take action and make positive change in our communities.”   

Dr Andy Mycock said: 

“I’m really looking forward to taking part in this excellent session on Youth Work and Votes at 16 - Carole Pugh is a leading researcher and experienced youth work practitioner who offers a much-needed focus on the role of youth work in supporting youth democratic education and participation.” 

Youth Work and Votes at 16: Supporting Young People to Vote 

Date: Thursday 20 November 

Time: 12.00pm to 1.00pm 

For more information and to book visit: Youth Work and Votes at 16: Supporting Young People to Vote Tickets, Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite  

Read more about Dr Pugh’s research and recommendations in this journal article Reconsidering the approach to political citizenship in youth work in England – Youth & Policy 

Image credit: Studio Noodle