Democracy champions
Case study overview
Democracy Champions is a train-the-trainer programme that helps make democratic participation more accessible for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The programme trains people with lived experience alongside support workers, volunteers, teachers, advocates and community workers. It builds their knowledge and confidence around voting and democracy so they can support others within their organisations and communities. Using practical resources, Champions can lead conversations and activities that help people understand their rights, make their own choices and participate in democratic life. The programme addresses barriers such as a lack of accessible information and support.
How it worked
The programme began with co-design sessions involving people with learning disabilities, autistic people and support staff. Their ideas and feedback shaped both the training and the Democracy Champions Toolkit.
Training was then delivered through a mix of online and in-person sessions to make it accessible to people across the country. During summer 2026, fifty people completed the programme, including people with lived experience, support workers, teachers, volunteers and advocates.
The training helped participants develop their knowledge and confidence around voting and democracy. After completing it, Democracy Champions received a printed toolkit containing activities, worksheets, template letters and information about further sources of support.
Champions can use these resources to start conversations and deliver activities in their own settings. They will continue to receive support until at least August 2027 as they put their training into practice.
Impact
Early evaluation shows that the training increased participants’ confidence in leading and taking part in conversations about democratic participation.
Average confidence rose from 78% before the training to 94% afterwards - an increase of 16 percentage points. Feedback also highlighted the quality of the training and the value participants placed on continued support.
Key strengths
Co-designing the programme with people with learning disabilities, autistic people and support staff also helped ensure that the training and resources reflected their experiences.
Participants responded particularly well to the train-the-trainer approach. They valued developing their own knowledge while also gaining the skills and resources to support other people.
The Democracy Champions Toolkit was another important part of the programme. Its practical activities, worksheets, template letters and signposting information gave Champions resources they could use straight away in their organisations and communities.
Key learning
- Start from the baseline that young people with additional needs can take part in democracy, and focus on what support will help them do so as independently as possible.
- Make politics real by linking it to decisions and issues that already affect young people’s everyday lives, rather than starting with abstract political structures.
- Give young people opportunities to practise democratic participation and voicing opinions in a low-pressure setting, for example through discussion, role-play, recording podcasts, or simulating a polling station.
- Stay impartial and support young people to reach their own views. Use trusted sources to answer questions rather than feeling you need to know everything yourself.
Further information
More information, including new case studies and testimonials, is available on the My Vote My Voice website.