Bringing local democracy to life for young people in Tower Hamlets

The interactive sessions include tours, quizzes, and mock debates tailored to different age groups. The initiative aims to demystify local politics and make civic engagement accessible and engaging. A key learning from the programme is the value of age-appropriate resources, such as democracy quizzes, to reinforce learning. Tower Hamlets’ approach offers a replicable model for councils seeking to engage students in local democracy.

Tower Hamlets Council has a tradition of celebrating Local Democracy Week by inviting local school groups into the Town Hall. These visits are part of an effort to promote wider support for young people interested in local democracy and are delivered throughout the year.

The aim is to help young people understand how local government works and to make local politics more accessible and engaging. The council seeks to inspire interest in civic participation from an early age.

Each visit is tailored to the age group attending. Students are given a tour of the Town Hall, including the Civil Mayor’s room and ceremonial robes. Activities such as quizzes on local democracy and mock debates in the council chamber help bring the experience to life. For younger pupils, the focus is on visual and interactive elements, while older students engage with real-world issues through discussion and debate.

The visits provide a memorable and educational experience for students, helping to build awareness of democratic processes and the role of local government. They also offer a rare opportunity for young people to step inside civic spaces and interact with the symbols and settings of local democracy.

Tower Hamlets has identified the need for age-appropriate democracy quizzes as a fun and informative way to consolidate learning during the visits. These resources help reinforce key concepts and make the sessions more engaging. They have also become happy to timetable during the year when it fits school timetables rather than feeling we have to stick to local democracy week if that doesn’t work for the schools.

Councils looking to replicate this model may benefit from:

• Developing tailored resources for different age groups.
• Including interactive elements such as quizzes and debates.
• Offering visual and hands-on experiences to make civic spaces more relatable.

Tower Hamlets’ approach demonstrates how interactive and engaging activities can have a lasting impact on young people’s understanding of democracy. The council continues to refine its programme to ensure it remains engaging and educational for all age groups.