Youth Voice Matters 2026

This is a conference with a difference – designed and delivered by young people for young people. Youth Voice Matters is delivered as part of the Making Participation Work programme, bringing together disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs from across England.

This confernce is an opportunity for community youth and participation groups to develop their participation skills and to recognise the impact they can have when taking part in strategic participation. The theme of this year's conference is youth citizenship.

Young people who have not previously been able to access strategic participation opportunities will be prioritised.

This conference will be an all-day, in-person event on 18th February 2026 in Birmingham.

Feedback from the children and young people who attened last year's conference includes:

• "[I loved] the togetherness and positive ideas"
• “It was very informative and gave me more of a vision to what I want to achieve”
• "I have loved hearing [about] other people's experiences"

• "[I loved] getting my opinion heard and getting out with my friends"

• “I enjoyed being in a fully inclusive environment”
• "[I loved] the experience and being listened to"
• "I found [the workshops] meaningful"

Feedback from the supporters who joined young people on the day:

• "Great atmosphere [...] Happy delegates, all able to stay focussed"
• "Our young people enjoyed the day from start to finish"
• "Our young leader has thoroughly enjoyed the day and is already asking when the next one is"

You can find out a bit more about the day by reading about past Youth Voice Matters conferences here and here.

Important things to consider before booking your places:

• This event is for disabled children and young people and/or those with special educational needs between the ages of 11-25.
• Children and young people can attend with a group (such as their school, youth group, or participation group) or independently.
• Those attending in a group should be supported to attend by an adult group leader, who will support them to travel to and from the venue and take part on the day.
• If a young person attends independently, they should think about the support they might need to take part. Those attending independently are encouraged to bring a supporter or carer if needed. Council for Disabled Children staff hosting the event will be unable to provide any one-to-one support on the day. Please add a ticket for a group leader/adult to your order if you are bringing a supporter.
• Only reserve the number of tickets you need, to allow as many people as possible to attend. You can register for a maximum of 7 child/young person tickets and 2 group leaders/adults per organisation. If you require any additional tickets, please get in touch with us directly.
• You will need to arrange your own travel to and from the venue. We do offer a travel bursary to help with the costs of this. Please note there is limited funding for a travel bursary, and this will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions, please email participation@ncb.org.uk.

Registration will close on 10th October at 9 am, or beforehand if all tickets are reserved. Once registration closes you will be sent further information about the day and asked to return information on the individual attendees.

When registering, please complete the registration form with at least one person’s name and contact information. Partial registrations will be deleted, and tickets will go back on sale.