Peer education for democratic engagement

How it worked

Peer Educators received training through online workshops and fortnightly drop-in sessions. They also helped design the content, activities and evaluation tools they would use.

The educators then delivered workshops, assemblies and presentations in schools, colleges, universities, youth centres, libraries and community settings, as well as online.

Sessions ranged from small workshops with 5–10 participants to assemblies attended by more than 100 young people. Activities included quizzes, discussions and myth-busting exercises alongside practical help with voter registration.

Participants learned about elections, voter registration and voter ID. They also explored where to find trustworthy election information and how they could influence decisions on issues that mattered to them.

Impact

Before the sessions, 40% of participants said they had little or no knowledge of how to register to vote. Afterwards, 72% described themselves as knowledgeable, including 38% who felt very knowledgeable.

Following the sessions:

• 87% said they knew more about registering to vote.
• 82% knew more about finding trustworthy election information.
• 81% felt more confident about voting.
• 89% planned to register and vote when eligible.

Peer Educators also helped some participants register to vote during the sessions.
The programme also benefited the educators themselves. They reported improvements in their public-speaking, leadership and communication skills.

Key strengths

Learning from other young people made the content feel relatable and accessible. Participants praised the Peer Educators’ confidence and knowledge and felt comfortable asking questions and discussing their concerns.

Interactive activities and smaller workshops were particularly effective because they gave participants space to talk and receive practical support rather than only listening to a presentation.

Peer Educators also had genuine ownership over delivery. When scheduling school sessions proved difficult, some found other ways to reach young people by organising sessions in libraries, universities and their local communities.

Key learning

• Build relationships with schools, colleges and community organisations early so Peer Educators have support with practical arrangements and recruitment.
• Give young leaders the flexibility to identify new settings and audiences themselves.
• Prioritise interactive activities, discussion and practical support rather than relying only on presentations.
• Tell participants in advance what information they need to register to vote, including their National Insurance number.
• Create a welcoming, non-partisan environment where young people feel respected and heard.
• Connect democratic participation to the issues young people care about.

Further Information

For more information about the ongoing programme and related election resources, visit I Have A Voice.