Exciting chance for young people to join youth council
03 November 2025
Young people have an exciting opportunity to make their voices heard and play a key role in local issues, events and activities by standing as a youth councillor.
This week (3-9 Nov) is National Youth Work Week, and once again, North Northamptonshire Council is calling on anyone aged 11 to 19 years old, or up to 25 years old with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) to stand on its Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
Applications, via an online form, are open to anyone who is currently an active member of a youth forum such as a school council, voluntary youth organisation, youth council or forum, college youth council, or an individual nominated by a member of staff from a school, college or community group. They must also live in North Northamptonshire.
There will be 12 North Northamptonshire YAC places that young people can apply for, covering four areas, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants, with three seats in each area. An additional four seats will be allocated between two Members of Youth Parliament, which has elections in March 2026, and two members of the Youth Assembly (SEND).
Being a youth councillor gives young people a voice to make decisions about what is important to them, and create opportunities for young people to participate, engage and be heard by politicians, service providers and others in their local community.
They can help identify and tackle issues considered important by young people, and shape services and facilities in North Northamptonshire to reflect what young people want and need. There will also be opportunities to reach out to other young people to seek their views and get them involved in the democratic process.
Applications for the Youth Advisory Council member elections will be accepted from 3 November 2025 to 23 November 2025 when the submission round will close.
Last year, the Council held it inaugural YAC elections which saw a huge number of candidates step forward, and in October this year, North Northamptonshire Council held its first ever Youth Summit at The Cube, in Corby, attended by school pupils, the current Youth Advisory Council, and other guests.
Anyone who would like to get involved this year can complete a short expression of interest via the Council’s website or email [email protected] for more information.
"The Youth Advisory Council was created on a mandate of change so that young people’s voices may finally be heard and so that young people may be more than just a part of the conversation, instead the YAC allows them to be the conversation. Since joining the Youth Advisory Council my voice has been projected through all levels of the local authority and decision making. This has allowed myself and many of my fellow YAC members to influence real change for young people. Therefore, I encourage all young people between the age of 11-19 (25 with SEND) within North Northamptonshire to apply so that your voice may be heard and used to shape our future."Tyler Hudnott, a member of the YAC and chair of the Council’s Youth Assembly (SEND)
“As a Council, we’re committed to meaningful engagement and participation to empower young people to have a voice on issues that matter to them. This is such a great opportunity for a young person who is keen to represent the views and interests of their peers. As a youth councillor, you will be required to attend monthly face-to-face meetings at a council office. Occasionally, additional virtual meetings may be scheduled, and you will receive advance notice of these. You’ll also be able to take part in a diverse range of activities from focus groups, secret shopping activities for the council and partners, and organising and supporting events for young people and the wider community.”Cllr Elizabeth Wright, Executive Member for Children’s Families and Education, at North Northamptonshire Council
Once selected, there will be an introductory meeting for newly appointed members on 16 December at the Council Chambers in Kettering. From there on, the first official meeting of the Youth Advisory Council after taking up post, will be on 13 January 2026 at Kettering Council Chamber. Subsequent meetings will then take place on the second Tuesday of every month, with the exception of August.