The Young Mayor

Apply to become the next Young Mayor

It’s nearly time to find Lewisham’s next Young Mayor.

If you want to make a difference for young people in Lewisham, this is your chance to get involved.

How to apply

If you decide to stand, download the candidate pack and send a completed copy of your candidate form to katy.brown@lewisham.gov.uk by 5pm Friday 28 November 2025.

If you have questions or need help completing your candidate form, come along to one of our support sessions:

• Wednesday 19 November, 4.30-6.30pm, Civic Suite, Catford SE6 4RU
• Wednesday 26 November, 4.30-6.30pm, Civic Suite, Catford SE6 4RU

You can also ask for support at your school or local youth club.

Key dates

• Friday 28 November 2025 – candidate application deadline
• Saturday 6 December 2025 – training session with chosen candidates
• January 2026 – campaign preparation begins
• Wednesday 4 February 2026 – Election Day

For more information, email katy.brown@lewisham.gov.uk.

About the Young Mayor

The young mayor provides a focus and a channel for young people’s views to be heard by decision-makers.

The young mayor gets support from young advisers and the young citizens' panel. They have access to the full range of young people’s forums, networks and school councils.

We have the longest established young mayor programme in the country (it was started in 2004 by Sir Steve Bullock, former Mayor of Lewisham). It is influential in encouraging other councils to provide this opportunity for young people.

What does the Young Mayor do?

The Young Mayor serves a one-year term and:

• supports, and is a spokesperson for, the borough’s young people
• informs and advises the mayor on issues relating to young people
• works with the young advisers and young citizens' panel to inform the work of the mayor, Council and other decision-making bodies
• oversees a budget of at least £25k

How are they chosen?

Every year we hold a democratic election through schools and colleges to choose the Young Mayor. 

Young advisers

The young advisers are a bit like a cabinet. But their meetings are more informal and always open to new members and visitors.

Who are the young advisers?

Young advisers come from young people’s involvement initiatives such as:

• youth and community projects

• specialist groups

• neighbourhood forums

• volunteering initiatives

• school or college councils 

Many of the young advisers stood as candidates for Young Mayor. Although not successful, they continued their involvement by becoming young advisers.

What do young advisers do?

The Young Mayor and young advisers:

• look at key decision-making reports

• engage with service managers, policy-makers and elected members to hear and comment on plans and strategies for the delivery of services

• are involved in determining council grant allocation to youth service initiatives

Can I get involved with the work of the young advisers?

Yes. If you're interested in politics or getting involved in the community you can come to the young advisers’ meetings.

Meetings happen every Monday from 5pm to 7pm at the Civic Suite, Catford.

Commemorative book

In 2013, we put together this commemorative book to mark the 10th anniversary of our young mayor programme.

It includes the 2013 and previous young mayors sharing their experiences and achievements during their time in office, as well as a history of the programme including the young advisers and young citizens' panel.