Shout Out UK and Beehive News join forces to promote our Youth Voice journalism
Emmanuel
Hi, I'm Emmanuel Jah, an 18-year-old (he/him) from Leeds, and I'm excited to be part of the YPDG. As a youth advocate and changemaker, I'm deeply passionate about lifting up the voices of those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not always have the opportunity to speak up. I'm really looking forward to working with the team to develop policy briefs and present them to government officials, ensuring that young people's views are heard by decision-makers and that our lived experiences shape real policies.
He/him (18)
Isabel
Hi, i’m Izzy and at 20 years old i’m most passionate about fighting social injustice and advocating for the rights of asylum seekers in our communities whose voices are often unheard.
She/her (20)
Ridhka
Hi, my name is Ridhka and I’m 21 years old. I’m really passionate about a range of topics, from inequality to education and housing. I believe everyone regardless of background should have access to opportunities and be able to make informed choices while feeling heard. I’m really excited to work alongside like-minded individuals on this project and looking forward to improving my political literacy while also learning more about democratic engagement.
She/her (21)
Obosa
Hi! My name’s Obosa (She/Her) and I’m currently studing Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development at the University of Warwick. I’m passionate about development and politics, brainstorming different ways to combat social economic and political issues (in my head). Besides that, I’m an avid F1 and football watcher (COYS!!). What I’m most excited about joining the YPDG because I believe policy is the best way to enact real tangible change and being around like-minded individuals will only lead to a higher quality of legislation that can enrich the lives of the people that need it the most.
She/her
Molly
Hi, my name is Molly and I’m 23 years old. I’ve recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Social Policy & Law. I’m really interested in tackling economic inequality and promoting social justice. During this project, I’m especially looking forward to connecting with like-minded people, sharing and developing ideas, and building my confidence.
She/her (23)
Emmanuela
I’m Emmanuela and I am a youth advocate from London. I’ve been involved in both national and international projects that focus on equity, innovation, and making sure young people’s voices are heard where it matters. I’m especially interested in how research and policy can work together to create fairer systems, particularly in the realms of health and gender equity. I’m so excited for this opportunity to collaborate with others, share ideas, and create meaningful impact, shaping systems that are inclusive and led by young people’s experiences.
She/her (17)
Isabella
I’m excited to be joining the Youth Policy Development Group! I’m committed to advancing gender equality, having spent three years of my computer science degree involved in women-in-tech initiatives. I’m also passionate about ensuring climate change is tackled with urgency, and want to see young people’s voices taken seriously when shaping long-term solutions. The opportunity to help translate our generation’s priorities into evidence-based policies is exactly why I’m so excited to be part of this group.
She/her (21)
Cosima
The topics I am most passionate about are online safety, media literacy, and accessibility of opportunity! I began advocating for online safety six years ago when I realised how many people just at my school were suffering from unrealistic pressures set by standards perpetuated online. Through this, I learnt about the capacity of media literacy of effect change in the online safety space in the face of legislative stagnation, and the impacts on young people when they proper media and digital literacy education. Additionally, I am incredibly passionate about improving accessibility of opportunities for young people, as someone who has been lucky enough to hold various advocacy roles, I know how valuable they can be, but similarly understand that there can be so many barriers to other young people having their voices heard, be it lack of opportunity to be heard by change makers, or circumstances getting in the way, and I would love to work to improve this during my time in the YPDG!
One thing I am really looking forward to doing during this project is engaging directly with government departments and officials as it’s such a unique opportunity that is rarely accessible for young people without some form of intermediary. I also am really excited to develop my policymaking skills through this programme! As someone studying Politics and IR at university, I spend a lot of time learning about policy in theory, so am super excited to start the training aspect and learn more of the practical side!
She/her (19)
Fatimah
I’m passionate about improving the education system and expanding opportunities for young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds who often face additional barriers. I also have a strong interest in ensuring safety for young people online and promoting digital inclusion, so that everyone can access the benefits of technology while being protected from harm.
What I’m most looking forward to during this project is collaborating with other young people who care about similar issues, share different perspectives, and help develop policy ideas that can make a real difference in creating a fairer and more inclusive future.
She/her (23)
Canada
My name is Canada Jenkins, I am twenty-three, and I am a recent Politics and Russian Language graduate from Exeter University. My academic research interests focused primarily on intersectional feminism, structures of power within politics and society, and the development of a critical and reflexive approach to interpreting media and political texts.
In my second year at university, I independently pitched and secured financial and resource investment from local businesses, and later the university, to facilitate independent events to uplift and empower the members of the LGBTQIA+ community and promote gender safety. As a member of the YPDG 2025, I hope to further amplify marginalised voices and facilitate collaborative action and advocacy for social and political change.
In my free time, I enjoys engaging with multilingual political commentary, learning new foreign languages, and completing online courses to broaden my understanding of history, art, and literature. I am particularly passionate about contributing to a lineage of radical feminist thought.
I am looking forward to working with the YPDG to collaborate with a community of politically-engaged young people in order to enact real change and respond directly to the generationally-unique adversities young people face in this digital epoch. I am particularly excited to explore collective solutions to challenge social and systemic inequality, facilitate digital wellbeing, and ease access to services for vulnerable people and their carers.
She/her (23)
Hammaad
I’m really passionate about tackling economic issues and improving equality and access to education. Through the YPDG, I’m looking forward to working with others to shape ideas that can make a real difference and help create more opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
He/him (23)
Zafeera Karim
I have a strong commitment to media literacy, political education, and dialogue across communities and faiths as foundations for democratic resilience. Appointed by DCMS to advise the UK Government on its National Youth Strategy, I also previously led the Youth Select Committee’s national inquiry into social media and youth violence. Across these roles, my focus has been on how misinformation and disinformation shape identity, trust, and polarisation, and on the need to strengthen civic infrastructure in response. Through the YPDG, I look forward to working with peers to develop policy that is evidence-led, grounded in young people’s realities, and capable of making a genuine impact.
She/Her (18)
Penuella Akuamoah
I am particularly passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels particularly for the youth, the general public and more importantly the minority in the society. I am a firm believer in affirmative action hence this is an opportunity for me to feel that I am making a difference in the lives of many others who are as affected by decisions and policies like we all are. During this project; I look forward to building great teamwork, contributing my quota to society by actively involving myself in this project together with my team mates to achieve a common goal.
She/Her (24)
Carys Hoggan
I’m passionate about building a fairer society where every young person- regardless of background- has equal rights, opportunities, and a genuine voice in the decisions that affect them. My interests range from inclusive education and SEND to mental health, equity, and justice, with a strong focus on making sure policy-making and co-production is meaningful, not tokenistic. I’m also committed to evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that policies are grounded in research as well as lived experience. I’m excited to bring my experience and energy to this project, work alongside and learn from other driven young people, and turn our shared ideas into policies that make a real difference.
She/Her (22)
Chidera
I am most passionate about healthcare and climate change. Within healthcare, I care deeply about young people’s mental health.Many are facing stress and anxiety, not only from everyday pressures but also from uncertainty about the future, either in housing or career. I am also passionate about tackling wider inequalities in access to healthcare, from postcode lotteries to the fact that Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth, which shows the urgent need to make healthcare fairer, more accessible and more responsive to everyone’s needs. Climate change is also a major concern, as it impacts our health and shapes the future we will inherit. I am most looking forward to working with other young people, sharing ideas and contributing to policy discussions that can create lasting change in our communities.
She/Her (21)
Zara Chanel
I’m passionate about youth employment, particularly the challenges young people face with unstable contracts, unpaid roles, and the harmful stereotypes that paint them as “lazy and unmotivated”. I believe in creating fair, accessible career pathways that support our independence, mental health, and long-term future. I’m also deeply interested in international relations and security studies, and I want to see young people more engaged in global conversations about conflict, diplomacy, and the challenges that will define our global generation. Through the YPDG, I’m most looking forward to amplifying youth voices in policy discussions and helping to bridge both local and global issues.
She/Her (20)
