Young People Missing from Decisions

As a group of young people from the Children's Society, we discussed issues to do with growing up and being involved in decisions.

We asked other young people about their views and opinions on two of the subjects we discussed.

  1. What you don't get taught at school and college that you think you should know about?
  2. What are the issues that young people care about and why do young people care about these issues?

Read our report:

PDF icon Life Lessons report (web).pdf

    We wrote LIFE LESSONS to share the results of our research. (Download the report above.)

    In April 2019, we met with members of Greater Manchester's Youth Combined Authority to share our main findings. They used what they learned from us to help design Greater Manchester's "Curriculum for Life".

    We also hope to get the attention of MPs, councillors and other decision makers to highlight what young people think.

    To find out more about this Jam and Justice action research project, email the ARC members: Paul Maher or Beth Perry.

    You can also download a Technical Appendix to Life Lessons, to learn more about the background to this research project.

    News, events and blog

    International Funding Conference 2019

    As part of our commitment to co-production, Jam and Justice ARC members had access to a personal knowledge exchange and impact budget to support institutional and sectoral learning and take findings back into different worlds of work and life.

    Report launch: How can we govern cities differently?

    More than sixty people gathered at the Ziferblat event space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter to celebrate the publication of the report, How can we govern cities differently? The promise and practices of co-production.

    Peterloo Now: Panel debating 'The Gaps in Representation', Manchester Central Library, June 2019

    Filling the gaps: Jam & Justice at Peterloo 2019

    On Tuesday 18 June, ARC member Paul Maher joined the panel for a debate on The Gaps in Representation. Part of the Peterloo Now series, organised by Manchester Histories and the University of Manchester, the event was hosted by Manchester Central Library and promoted as part of Guardian Live.

    Snapshot of GM Curriculum for Life topics from the Youth Combined Authority's March newsletter

    Priorities in Greater Manchester's Curriculum for Life

    In April, the young researchers leading Young People Missing from Decisions took their Life Lessons report to Churchgate House, the home of Greater Manchester’s Combined Authority. They were there to share their findings with the Youth Combined Authority, meeting directly with the working group who have responsibility for agreeing what should be in Greater Manchester’s new Curriculum for Life.

    An Evening with Jam and Justice - How can we govern cities differently? (Banner image)

    An Evening with Jam & Justice

    Wednesday, July 3, 2019 - 17:30 to 20:00
    Ziferblat, Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW

    The Jam and Justice Action Research Collective will be sharing what we have learned and celebrating the outcomes of our projects in Greater Manchester.

    Young People and Co-Production: Exchanging Knowledge, Reflecting on Practice

    What happens when practitioners and researchers who share an interest in co-producing with children and young people come together to reflect on practice, passions, and what might be done together?

    Workshop: Young People and Co-Production

    Friday, January 11, 2019 - 10:00 to 13:00

    Workshop co-hosted by Jam and Justice project with The Children's Society.

    This event arises from collaborations for the Young People Missing from Decisions project. It is part of an ongoing dialogue with academics and practitioners about the practicalities of co-producing with young people.

    To learn about this action research and find out who to contact for more information, please visit the Missing from Decisions page.

    Jam and Justice Discuss Devolution at Manchester Histories Festival

    Monday, June 11, 2018 - 12:00 to 13:30
    Manchester Central Library

    Devolution promised to open up new opportunities for community engagement and empowerment, shifting power from Whitehall to the Townhall. One year on since the election of Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Jam and Justice's Action Research Collective are hosting a debate in Manchester Central Library to discuss the changing horizons of collective decision-making in Greater Manchester.