Participation strategy
The Participation and Engagement Strategy is for all Bolton’s children and young people. It sets out what we want to achieve over the next three years and the action we will take to ensure all children and young people are actively involved in services in Bolton and have their voice heard and amplified to shape those services. It has been developed to ensure we meet our statutory duties and that participation and engagement principles with young people are embedded within our practice when designing and delivering services. The purpose of the strategy is to set out the direction, expectations and standards for participation and engagement with children and young people across Bolton. Also, the strategy will enable partnerships to increase the presence of children and young people’s voices and ensure their views are considered and acted upon.
Youth Council
Bolton Youth Council is a diverse group of young people aged 11-18 years old, who are actively involved in making decisions in the Borough of Bolton. We work with lots of different services, groups and organisations to make sure that young people can shape and influence decisions that concern our lives.
What we do and how we do it:
- Work on campaigns at a local, regional and national level.
- Work as part of Northwest and Greater Manchester Youth Networks.
- Plan and deliver community events to help raise awareness and consult with young people on various topics.
- Advise leaders and decision makers on helping them make the right decisions for young people, through discussing priorities and suggesting improvements.
- Work on and support community projects.
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills through public speaking, problem solving and encouraging action.
Youth MPs
In March 2026, Jasmine Kwok, 17 and Simi Adebanjo, 17, were elected as Boltons two new youth MPs and will remain in post until March 2028.
Youth MP will find out the concerns, interests and needs of other young people in their area and then discuss these on a local, regional and national level. Youth MPs meet councillors, MPs and other key decision makers to take forward issues of local importance. Youth MPs across the UK work to give young people a voice by listening to marginalised groups, organising events, making films, meeting MPs, lobbying for change, organising campaigns and appearing in the media, all to amplify the views of their peers. They will also attend regional meetings and meet with the UK Youth Parliament at the House of Commons.
Jasmine and Simi are currently working on the following topics, mis information, Safety, free transport and discounts for young people.
From 2024 to 2026, the previous Bolton Youth MPs, Shalom Wondiam and Muhammed Ammaar Nasir, were extremely proactive and involved in several projects, campaigns, events and consultations. They worked in Partnership with Bolton Youth Council, Voice4U, Council Senior Leaders, Elected Members, Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, NHS Greater Manchester, Bolton Together, Bolton Public Health, ICB, BBC Newsround and so many more. Some of their highlights were: Attending the Annual Sitting at the House of Commons Working on and delivering their manifestos, Pass The Read To Those In Need and Decrease Violence in Schools. Attending the YOFO residentials. Planning and hosting World Mental Health Day Events. Taking part in an interview for national news on the importance of youth voice. Opening the Bolton Food and Drink Festival.
The current Bolton Youth MPs are enthusiastic, focused, and ready to make a meaningful impact during their two‑year term.
Healthy Minds Project
Healthy Minds Youth Project is an action group of young people aged 13 - 18 years old. Delivered in partnership with Bolton Council's Play & Youth Service, Bolton CAMHS, and MHST.
What do we do and how we do it:
- Consult and raise awareness of the stigma that is attached to young people and their mental and emotional health.
- Work on the development of our BeKindtomyMind Campaign and programme.
- Plan and deliver World Mental Health Day event each year in Bolton, for Bolton Secondary schools to attend.
- Work with decision makers to support positive changes for young people's mental health services in Bolton.
NextStep
NextStep is an action group for Bolton Care Leavers aged 16 and over. The group identify key themes, gaps in services and issues that care leavers want to address and highlight to decision makers to bring about positive change and support care leavers on their journey to independence.
What do we do and how we do it:
- Takeover Corporate Parenting Board annually to raise awareness about topics that NextStep want to highlight to decision makers to bring about positive change for Bolton Care Leavers.
- Members of NextStep represent Bolton Care Leavers at the Greater Manchester Participation Network meetings for Care Leavers providing ideas and feedback about services for care leavers to Greater Manchester decision makers.
- Offer independence skills sessions to support care leavers moving into their own homes.
- Enable care leavers to meet in a safe space to share their thoughts and ideas of how to improve services.
- Work as part of North-west and Greater Manchester Youth Networks.
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills through public speaking, problem solving and encouraging action.
Voice 4 U
Voice 4 U is a Children in Care Council for young people aged 11-16 years old. The group represents the voice of Bolton’s care-experienced young people. Members meet regularly to discuss issues that impact the lives of children in care and to develop ideas and recommendations for improving services.
What do we do and how we do it:
- Share our experiences to make it better for the young people who come after us.
- Takeover Corporate Parenting Board annually to raise awareness about topics that Voice4U want to highlight to decision makers to bring about positive change for Bolton Care Experienced Young People.
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills through public speaking, problem solving and encouraging action.
- Create and deliver training for IRO’s
- Create and deliver Training for Foster Carers
- Co-produced the redesign of Harvey St Family Hub
- Involved in the design of the annual Voice4U Celebration Event
Get involved
To find out more about our groups or get involved, please contact positive.activities@bolton.gov.uk. You can also follow Bolton Youth Voice on social media to keep up to date with our latest activities and opportunities.