Make Your Mark empowers 11 to 18 year-olds to vote on the issues that matter most to them, making it the UK's biggest youth ballot.
Full of energy, ambition and optimism, young members of the Southend-on-Sea Youth Council are keen to get the word out about the transformative Make Your Mark campaign, which returns from 2 February to 6 March 2026.
Make Your Mark is the UK's biggest youth ballot which encourages 11 to 18 year-olds to cast their vote on the issues that matter most to their age group. Secondary schools, colleges and alternative education providers have been invited to participate.
At the 2024 ballot, an impressive 9,978 young people across Southend took part, placing the city second nationally for turnout. Their top priorities were health and wellbeing, culture, media and sport, and crime and safety.
Once the votes were in, real change followed, directly shaping youth campaigns, services and engagement across the city.
This includes the Neurodivergent Support Pack, which has trained more than 1,000 professionals across the East of England, the Red Relief Scheme providing free period products in 13 venues across Southend, a Violence Against Women and Girls awareness event, and a vibrant HAF summer programme offering activities from roller skating and beach exploration to sound baths and self‑defence.
Cllr Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children, young people and SEND, said: "Every time our young people take part in Make Your Mark, they show Southend and the whole country just how engaged, thoughtful and passionate they are. Nearly 10,000 young people had their say in 2024, and the impact of their choices can already be seen in the projects and services we've delivered since.
"Make Your Mark isn't just a ballot, it's a reminder that young people understand their city, care deeply about its future, and have powerful ideas about what needs to change. We are incredibly proud of their leadership, and we hope even more young people will get involved this year."
Led by young people, for young people
The 2026 ballot has once again been shaped by local young people, ensuring the issues reflect what matters most to them. These are the ten topics they've chosen:
- Tackling discrimination, hate and being treated unfairly.
- Mental health, wellbeing and substance use.
- Feeling safe, crime, policing and harm.
- Money, housing, jobs and the cost of living.
- School, skills and future options.
- Things to do, places to go and community.
- Youth voice, politics and media.
- Getting around, public transport and access.
- Climate, the environment and our future.
- Relationships, consent and staying safe online.
You, too, can help drive forward meaningful change
Cast your vote through your secondary school, college, youth group and alternative education provider during the ballot window; it takes just 30 seconds to vote!
To learn more, visit the Youth Voice stand at Youth Fest on 14 February at the Victoria Shopping Centre, and explore the Make Your Mark website.