Giving young people a political voice
Democracy in Schools is a recent project developed in partnership with the University of Essex that links universities with local schools: providing undergraduates with the opportunity to volunteer in the classroom and facilitate sessions with young people examining the UK’s political and democratic structures.
Inspired by the format of our Experts in Schools programme, this opportunity sees undergraduate volunteers working with small groups to school pupils to facilitate discussion and learning on topical subjects like international relations and political participation.
Building aspiration and boosting social mobility
Participation in this skills-based volunteering initiative has a triple benefit. It’s impactful for the school pupils, provides an applied learning opportunity for the undergraduates, and crucially – it’s good for society. The more people that have the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in politics the fairer society will be.
After a successful pilot with the University of Essex in 2017, we are excited to expand this programme to more universities nationally, to improve the political literacy of young people across the UK.
If you work at a UK university and are interested in your students taking part in this impactful and worthwhile volunteering programme, please contact our Partnerships Manager, Kirsty Robertson.
Democracy in Schools: University of Essex programme from University of Essex on Vimeo.
Suggested next steps:
- Find out more about our Bespoke Projects
- Not from a university? Check out our other Experts in Schools opportunities