Youth Council

Harborough District Youth Council

The Harborough District Youth Council was established in January 2025 for 11–18-year-olds who live or go to school in the district. The Youth Council was created to hear the voices of the young people in the district and to give them the opportunity to work on matters that are important to them. 

Currently, the Youth Council has members from Welland Park Academy, Robert Smyth Academy, Kibworth Mead, Lutterworth High, Lutterworth College, Leicester Grammar School and Beauchamp College. We have a new Leadership Team for the 2026-2027 academic year which is: 

  • Chair - Amelia, Beauchamp College
  • Vice Chair- Rosie, Leicester Grammar School
  • Treasurer- Isabelle, Welland Park Academy
  • Secretary- Emily, Welland Park Academy
  • Outreach and Inclusion Officer - William, Welland Park Academy
  • Media and Communications Officer- Ellie, Leicester Grammar School Stoneygate

Joining the Youth Council

If you would like to become a member of the Youth Council, or you know someone who might, please see the ‘get on board’ document under 'useful links' below and complete the signup steps. Parents/guardians will then be emailed a consent form which needs to be completed before the young person attends their first meeting.

Each month an rsvp/attendance form is sent out to the young people to confirm they are attending that month’s meeting. Meetings alternate between Market Harborough and Lutterworth each month. This form is also where the young people can tell us if they require a space on the community transport bus which goes between Lutterworth and Market Harborough.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact Becca Powell, Youth Engagement Officer at youthvoice@harborough.gov.uk.

September Meeting Activities

At the first meeting back, members reflected on a range of summer activities, including attending the launch of the district’s new waste vehicle fleet, which the Youth Council helped name, the opening of the James Adler Nature Reserve, and an Urban&Civic workshop.

Members also welcomed the newly appointed Leadership Team, explored the Youth Council’s values, and discussed what it means to be an active and positive representative. The evening finished with team-building activities to help new and existing members get to know each other.

Filling the Remaining Leadership Team Roles

Following the appointment of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Outreach and Inclusion Officer, the Leadership Team used a co-option process to fill the remaining positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Media and Communications Officer. Interested members submitted manifestos, which were reviewed by the Leadership Team before appointments were made.

October Youth Council Meeting

At October’s meeting, members welcomed additional new recruits and announced the newly appointed leadership roles. The group reviewed a media and communications plan, which will be led by the new Media and Communications Officer, and began developing a survey to capture the views of young people who are not currently involved with the Youth Council.

Led by Outreach and Inclusion Officer William, this work aims to ensure that a wider range of young people have the opportunity to share their views and shape future priorities.

Developing a Young People’s Strategy

Work is continuing on the development of a Young People’s Strategy. To support this, representatives from council service areas linked to the Youth Council’s priorities will attend future meetings to hear directly from young people and gather their views.

Community Awards

Youth Council members formed the judging panel for the Young Person of the Year (11-18 years) category at the Community Awards, selecting the winner and runners-up before attending the ceremony to present the nominees and share the Youth Council’s achievements over the past year.

The members received extremely positive feedback following the event, with attendees praising their confidence, enthusiasm and professionalism. Many commented on how inspiring it was to see young people so actively involved in representing their peers and championing youth voice within the community. The members were a real credit to the Youth Council and showcased the positive impact young people can make when given opportunities to get involved

Upcoming meetings

(all meetings are on Thursdays, 5.30pm-7.30pm)

Locations (unless specified otherwise):

  • Market Harborough - the council chamber, the Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street
  • Lutterworth - the main hall at Lutterworth College, Bitteswell Road

Dates:

  • Thursday 12 November Lutterworth
  • Thursday 3 December Market Harborough 

Useful links: