Young people shape local democracy during Welcome to Your Vote Week
Schools across Kirklees joined together this March for a special event designed by members of Kirklees Youth Council, celebrating Welcome to Your Vote Week 2026.
As part of the national initiative, Youth Councillors from five local high schools taking part in our Democracy Friendly Schools programme met at Huddersfield Town Hall for a day of discussion, idea sharing and action. The event gave young people the chance to explore how they can help their peers learn about local democracy, elections and registering to vote — and how they can play a meaningful role in shaping their local area.
What is Welcome to Your Vote Week?
Welcome to Your Vote Week is an annual initiative created by the Electoral Commission to help young people feel confident taking part in democratic processes. It encourages conversations about voting, decision-making and active citizenship, giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to get involved where they live.
Starting the conversation
Youth Councillors from Manor Croft Academy and King James’s School had already begun working closely with members of Kirklees Council’s Executive Board, opening early conversations about how to strengthen engagement between young people and local leaders.
This event brought even more young people into the discussion, offering space for fresh ideas and new voices to be heard.
What happened on the day?
Throughout the day, young people took part in interactive workshops exploring:
- How the Democracy Friendly Schools programme could strengthen relationships between young people and local decision-makers.
- How Youth Councillors could help build stronger connections with councillors, Cabinet members and other leaders.
- How young people could support their peers to learn about voting and registering to vote in ways that feel accessible and relevant.
Students from the following schools were also involved:
- Newsome Academy
- Batley Girls’ High School
- Salendine Nook High School Academy
Members of the Kirklees Council Executive Board joined the event too, giving young people the opportunity to share their views directly with senior decision makers.
Democracy Friendly Schools
The Democracy Friendly Schools programme is free and open to any school in Kirklees. Activities are also available for community organisations and for young people who are home educated.
To get involved, visit the Democracy Friendly website or email Democracy@Kirklees.gov.uk.
Getting ready to vote
Welcome to Your Vote Week is part of the Electoral Commission’s work to help young people understand why democracy matters — and how voting can influence real change in their communities.