Special MP Drop-in Event
At a special MP drop-in event, 15 young people met with MPs from across the country to share their real-life experiences of education, health, and care systems. They also spoke about their ideas for how things could work better for children and young people in England.
The event was kindly sponsored by Bracknell MP Peter Swallow, who helped make sure young people had a welcoming space to share their views right at the heart of Westminster.
The idea came from young people
This event actually started with a suggestion from young people themselves.
At the 2025 Collective Get Together, many young people said they wanted the chance to speak face-to-face with MPs about what life is really like for them in the education system.
They didn’t just want to talk about the problems. They wanted to share their ideas for real change too.
Interactive stands led by young people
To help start conversations, the young people designed and ran four different themed stands. Each one focused on an issue that matters to them.
The stands explored topics like:
Getting the right help at the right time: Why early support and working with different professionals can make a huge difference.
Skilled staff and inclusive schools: The importance of school staff having the right training and creating school environments where everyone feels included.
Becoming happy, healthy and successful adults: Support for moving into adulthood, building independence, and learning important life skills.
Support that understands our needs: Making sure support works for people with different needs, including those sometimes described as having “complex” needs.
Interactive and Relatable
Each stand connected to themes from the government’s recent Schools White Paper, helping MPs understand what young people think should change.
The young people also created interactive activities so MPs could better understand what their experiences can be like. These activities helped spark some really thoughtful conversations.
MPs came along to listen
Around 30 MPs, parliamentary staff, and civil servants came to the event to listen and talk with the young people.
Among them were:
Helen Hayes, Chair of the Education Select Committee
Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education
All MPs who attended spent time speaking with young people at each stand and asking questions about their experiences.
These conversations could help shape how they think about future decisions on education policy.
Young people from across England
The event included young people from different parts of England and from a variety of education settings, including:
- mainstream schools
- private schools
- special schools
By sharing their different experiences, they helped show a real picture of how the system works right now, and where it could be improved.
Why youth voice matters
This event was a powerful reminder of why it’s so important that young people get the chance to speak directly to decision-makers.
The honesty, confidence, and ideas shared made a strong impression on everyone who attended.
We’re incredibly proud of the young people who led the event. And we’re grateful to the MPs and civil servants who came along to listen.
Their voices could help influence what happens next as new education policies are developed.
Interesting Conversations included...
Eva, Abi and Rosanna spoke to MPs including Amanda Martin and Peter Swallow about the White Paper, as well as how schools could be made more inclusive.
They focused a lot on small changes that could make a big difference (e.g. communication cards for explaining the support they need during times of overwhelm)
They also said that having a can-do attitude and being willing to try were vital!
Why this matters to you
You know best what works for you. Here are some common things that can make a difference and some that really don’t help at all.
Affects Your Life
The decisions MPs make about education can affect everything from the support you get in school or college, to how easy it is to move into work, training, or adulthood.
Share Your Real Life
Events like this give young people the chance to share their real experiences directly with the people who make those decisions.
Young People Speaking
Instead of adults speaking on their behalf, young people were able to explain:
- what is working well
- what can be really challenging
- what changes could make things better for others in the future
Helps MPs Understand Better
When decision-makers hear these stories first-hand, it can help them understand what life is really like for young people and why change is needed.
Your Voice Matters
It also shows something really important: your voice matters. Young people have ideas, experiences, and perspectives that can help shape better systems for everyone.
People in Power Listen
And this event proved that when young people are given the chance to speak up, people in power are ready to listen.
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