Record youth engagement as Sevenoaks forms its largest-ever Youth Council

Published: 03 December 2025

Sevenoaks Youth Council has welcomed a record 80 members, after an extraordinary wave of applications. Delighted by such strong interest from local young people representing different schools and home schooling, Sevenoaks Town Council accepted all applicants.

Every two years, Sevenoaks Town Council invites nominations for Youth Councillors. Aged between 11 and 18 years old, members of the Youth Council represent the views of young people in Sevenoaks, organise events and campaigns, collaborate on community projects, and work alongside local leaders and councillors.

Participation in the Youth Council also helps members develop valuable skills including confidence, leadership, and teamwork.

The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Tony Clayton, remarked, “After the success of last year’s Youth Council and their impressive work on mental health, this year has seen even more applicants keen to get involved. The Youth Council has its own budget and helps to determine how House in the Basement youth café is run. It can also recommend projects to Sevenoaks Town Council which it thinks would improve life in the town. We’re looking forward to an exciting year!”.

The newly formed Youth Council held its first meeting on 26 November, where returning Youth Councillor Aryana Mahdavi Ardestani was elected Chair.

At the meeting, the Youth Councillors took part in a workshop to share ideas and set priorities for the year ahead. Topics raised included safety, mental health, support for young people, fundraising, eco-friendly initiatives, strengthening community connections, and expanding activities for young residents.