The Youth Voice Project showcases how strong partnerships can empower students as co-creators of solutions, leading to real improvements in education and community life. In collaboration with Vincentia High School, Firefly/Uniting, the project has established meaningful connections between students and adults, driving shared decision-making and long-term collaboration.
Genuine, Equal Partnerships Between Students and Adults
At the heart of the Youth Voice Project is a commitment to genuine partnership. Fourteen students from Vincentia High School were trained as peer researchers using a version of the ReSPECT youth co-design research model. With support from adult mentors, the students investigated issues around wellbeing, safety, and satisfaction at school. Their findings shaped the Youth Voice Roadmap—a strategic guide for creating positive change—and sparked several youth-led projects.
These students weren’t just participants; they led the process from identifying concerns to planning and delivering solutions. Their work influenced school priorities and helped shift perceptions—students were seen and treated as equal partners. One student shared, “I was never comfortable with talking to adults until now—I know more people and I feel respected and heard within the group.”
Key initiatives included:
• Breakfast Club Expansion: Now operating five days a week, the program addresses dietary needs, provides emergency lunches, and ensures all students start the day nourished and ready to learn.
• Beyond the Spectrum: This program supports young carers and students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families through activities and information sessions.
• Revitalising the Malcolm Moore BMX Track: Students presented their plans to Shoalhaven City Councillors and gained support for upgrading this local space.
• Creative Spaces: In collaboration with local artists and the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, students designed a mural, providing a platform for youth artistic expression.
Students also presented their ideas to local councils and community groups, took part in regional and metro leadership events, and contributed to ongoing conversations about youth needs. These experiences helped them grow in confidence and leadership. One reflected, “I was surprised by how well I spoke at Pitch Day.”
Innovation, Co-Leadership, and Shared Decision-Making
A key strength of the project is its focus on innovation through shared leadership. Training students as peer researchers and involving them in every stage redefined traditional power dynamics. Students developed public speaking, research, and strategic planning skills, growing into capable young leaders. As one facilitator noted, “I've noticed students around the school with their heads held high, making eye contact, and engaging more actively with others.”
Sustainable, Long-Term Impact
The Youth Voice Project isn’t a one-off initiative. Its structure and partnerships have helped embed student-led action into school culture. Vincentia High School is committed to repeating and expanding the project with future cohorts, making student voice a lasting part of school life.
This project is a powerful example of how cross-sector collaboration can empower students, redefine leadership, and foster a generation of confident young changemakers ready to shape their communities.

The Youth Voice Project promotes student voice and meaningful partnerships by positioning students as equal partners in decision-making, empowering them to lead research, design solutions, and collaborate with adults. Through shared leadership, ongoing mentorship, and real-world impact, the initiative fosters genuine, lasting partnerships that centre young people’s perspectives and contributions.

The Youth Voice Project has led to increased student confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of belonging. It has influenced school priorities, created lasting youth-led initiatives, and built sustainable partnerships between students, educators, and the community—demonstrating real, positive change in both school culture and the wider region.

The Youth Voice Project deserves recognition for the Partnership for Change award because it exemplifies how genuine, cross-sector collaboration can empower young people as leaders and change-makers. By embedding student voice into school culture and creating lasting community impact, it sets a powerful example of partnership-driven transformation.