National Youth Strategy Roadshow comes to Basingstoke

A Youth Matters event was held at The Anvil, Basingstoke, on Wednesday, March 4,
as part of a national roadshow organised in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the National Youth Agency (NYA), UK Youth, and Youth Focus South East.

The focus was on implementing the National Youth Strategy, a 10-year Government plan launched in December 2025 to improve young people’s opportunities and outcomes.

It calls for a shift from national to local decision-making, more collaborative working, and a move to empower young people.

Frontline youth workers gathered to help shape the future of support and opportunities for young people (Image: NYA)

Ed Ives-Wara, network lead for Youth Focus South East, said: "The South East is often perceived as an affluent region; however, significant pockets of deprivation remain, and many young people continue to require targeted investment and support.

"The region can sometimes be overlooked on the assumption that needs are being met, yet there is growing concern that some young people feel unheard and, in some cases, overlooked.

"Opportunities such as this are therefore essential to strengthen advocacy efforts, elevate young people’s voices, and drive meaningful, positive change."

The event brought together youth workers, educators, health and wellbeing professionals, housing teams, crime-prevention specialists, funders, and local authorities for a wide-ranging discussion on improving youth provision.

A key topic was ensuring that young people’s voices inform decisions that affect them.

New Government data reveals that 54 per cent of young people in the South East do not feel their views matter at a national level—higher than the UK average.

Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency, said: "This event brought a wide range of youth professionals together from across the South East to strengthen how we support young people.

"It was a first step to shared ambition into practical action that reflects the realities of the area.

"Its impact comes from the expertise gathered in the room, high-quality data, and our collective commitment to improving young people’s lives."

Jacob Diggle, chief impact officer at UK Youth, said the roadshows are a critical way to turn national ambition into effective local delivery.

He said: "We’re delighted to be working alongside the National Youth Agency, Regional Youth Work Units and others to ensure youth workers have a strong and influential voice in shaping how the National Youth Strategy is delivered.

"These regional roadshows are a crucial bridge between national ambition and local reality – bringing together practitioners, partners, and decision-makers to build on what already works and expand access to youth workers, safe spaces, and meaningful opportunities for young people in every community."

As part of the regional engagement, dedicated youth sessions are being held to give young people a direct say in how the strategy is implemented.

The National Youth Strategy’s focus on collaboration, empowerment, and locally driven solutions reflects growing calls for young people to be active partners in shaping the services they use.

Despite the South East’s reputation for prosperity, the event emphasised the continued need for equity in youth investment.

The Basingstoke event is part of a wider series of consultations and gatherings taking place across the UK, each tailored to the specific needs of the local area and informed by direct youth feedback.