The Young Mayor
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.
Candidates are campaigning now for the 2026 election. Read their manifestos below.
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.
What is the role of the Young Mayor?
The Young Mayor gives young people in Lewisham a real say in the future of the area. The role is at the core of the Youth Voice Action and Participation (YVAP) strand of Lewisham Youth Service, which brings additional opportunities for young people in the borough to get involved in decision making and influencing change. This will include area Youth Forums which will work on local priorities and feed back to the Young Mayor.
Lewisham young people have a lot to say about issues that affect them such as schools, youth facilities, the environment, mental health, crime and safety, and much more. It is important that they are involved when decisions are made that will impact on their lives.
This is why Brenda Dacres OBE, Mayor of Lewisham, and the Council agreed that there should be a young mayor, someone who would represent young people and make sure their views are heard. In 2026–27, the Young Mayor will have a budget of £25,000 to spend on improving the lives of young people in Lewisham.
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:
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youth and community projects
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specialist groups
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neighbourhood forums
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volunteering initiatives
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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:
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look at key decision-making reports
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engage with service managers, policy-makers and elected members to hear and comment on plans and strategies for the delivery of services
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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.