Shetland Youth Voice Programme

The Shetland Youth Voice (SYV) brings together young people from across Shetland to identify priorities, shape solutions, and work directly with decision-makers.  In its first year in the current format, the project has launched four strands of work: Transport, Public Spaces for Young People, Jobs & Fair Work and Mental Health & Wellbeing.  Each strand is youth-led, chosen by members through an annual vote, and supported by local partners.

Background and purpose

The project was revamped to give young people a stronger platform for influencing issues that matter most to them.  Membership is proportionally representative of all senior schools in Shetland, as well as youth organisations such as Ability Shetland, the Young Islanders Network, and the Scottish Youth Parliament.  The model combines monthly meetings with topic-specific summits, ensuring both ongoing dialogue and focused, action-oriented events.

Activities and delivery

In 2024–25, SYV has:

• Delivered three major summits:  Transport (January 2025), Jobs & Fair Work (April 2025), and Public Spaces for Young People (June 2025), with a Mental Health summit and the ‘Shetland Youth Voice: A Year in Action!’ event planned for October and November 2025.  
• Held monthly executive meetings and fortnightly committee meetings.
• Hosted interactive workshops with local and national partners including Transport Scotland, Loganair, Skills Development Scotland, Shetland Recreational Trust, and Cooke Scotland.
• Used youth-friendly engagement tools like voting pads, creative mapping, and peer-led discussions to gather rich feedback.
• Presented findings to Shetland Islands Council committees, ensuring young people’s perspectives are part of formal decision-making.

Impact

• Representation:  Over 100 representatives have taken part in summits, from Fair Isle to Unst.
• Policy influence:  Transport priorities were formally presented to SIC’s Environment & Transport Committee, leading to further discussions on timetabling, integration, and safety.
• Capacity building:  Members developed leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through chairing sessions, presenting to councillors, and running workshops.
• Partnership working:  Stronger links with public agencies and third sector partners, improving understanding of young people’s needs across sectors. 

“The revival of Shetland Youth Voice has been exemplary, and they’ve been well supported too.” – Davie Sandison, Chair of the Education and Families Committee, Shetland Islands Council

In 2025, Shetland Youth Voice was honoured with a National Youth Work Award, recognising its innovative approach to empowering young people and strengthening youth participation across Shetland.  The award celebrated the project’s reach—from Fair Isle to Unst—as well as its tangible influence on local policy and services.

This recognition not only highlights the achievements of the first year but also affirms the value of continuing to grow Shetland Youth Voice as a model of youth engagement.

Learning and next steps

The project’s mix of broad membership, targeted summits, and clear follow-up actions has proven very effective.  The next steps include embedding sub-committees into SIC committees, holding the first Mental Health Summit, and following up on progress from earlier summits.  The model is already seen as a blueprint for youth engagement in Shetland, with potential to influence regional and national youth voice networks.

Contribution to the Shetland Partnership

• Participation: Ensuring young people are actively involved in decision-making.
• People: Supporting skills development and wellbeing.
• Place: Shaping spaces and services to be more youth-friendly.
• Money: Influencing affordable, fair access to transport, work, and leisure.