THE election period is a unique and curious time when politicians make public appeals to the youth voice, writes Jack Welch.

It is unsurprising in some ways – with more than three million of those potential first-time voters to grab.

It shows how the voices of young people are vital for any government agenda.

This is not just in politics, but also in volunteering and social action.

Research conducted in some of Weymouth and Portland’s deprived wards show that for some young people, the latter concept in particular was largely an unknown quantity to them.

Moreover, the ‘Step up to Serve’ campaign indicates that worrying 43 per cent of young people surveyed in the UK had not taken part in any sort of social action in 12 months.

In campaigning for a cause they are passionate about, young people are empowered by being listened to by those who can shape their education.

They can collectively change attitudes of a society as a whole.

It is not their failing if they are not given the means to participate, but is something out of their control entirely.

When voting, and hopefully in big numbers, just remember that while the politician’s need to convince is over, it is our job to keep the momentum going.