The Make Your Mark results are in!
A massive thank you to everyone who helped promote the vote, to the 30+ schools and youth groups that signed up and took part, and, of course, to the 2,780 of you who voted in Make Your Mark and the Devon ballot!
At a glance
Top Devon specific issues:
- Mental Health
- Vaping
- Activities and Opportunities
- Pollution
- Preparation for adult life
- Transport
- Discrimination and Bullying
- School life
- Police and Crime
- Diversity and Inclusion
Top national issues as voted by young people in Devon:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Climate and Environment
- Culture, Media and Sport
Top national issues as voted by all young people across the country:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Crime and Safety
- Culture, Media and Sport
The Results
During February and March, young people from across Devon voted for the issues that matter most to you. This year, votes were cast on both national issues and, for the first time, Devon-specific issues.
In the Devon specific ballot, mental health was voted as the top issue.
Mental health is a recurring issue for young people, and we’ve been working hard through our Youth Voice Saturdays to try to help bring about change. However, it’s clear that there is more to do to help improve mental health services in Devon. We will use the results of this vote to give us fresh impetus to work to create a detailed, youth-led action plan.
The issue of mental health isn’t specific to Devon either, as health and wellbeing won first place nationally. It’s clear, then, that young people across the UK see mental health and wellbeing as the most important thing for decision makers to focus on.
Besides mental health, vaping, and activities and opportunities were the next most voted for issues in the Devon specific vote. While on the national issues, you voted for climate and environment and culture, media, and sport as your 2nd and 3rd place topics.
Devon specific vote
National vote in Devon
Across the country as a whole
Across the country as a whole, voting was very similarly to Devon, with the top three national issues for all young people being health and wellbeing, crime and safety, and culture media and sport.
Voting stats for Devon
Nearly 3,000 young people took part in this year’s vote, with nearly half of all votes coming from East Devon. Meanwhile, 8% of votes came from special schools. Although this may seem like a small percentage, it marks an important increase in SEND participation that has come about thanks to the support of our Network for Change.
What happens next?
Peer-led research – firstly, we’ll prioritise and research the top Devon issue. This will help us identify our direction and the specifics of what needs to change.
Youth Voice Saturday – we bring our plans to the top decision makers, with the help of young people who can share their thoughts and ideas. You can join this event!
Youth Voice Action Plan – based on the decisions made in the Youth Voice Saturday, we create an action plan to ensure that we are the right changes in the chosen issue!