Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) is a voluntary group led by young people from across Exmoor. We work to create viable, sustainable opportunities for young residents to live and work on the moor.

Young people in rural areas face a unique set of challenges. EYV works to highlight and tackle issues including housing, digital inclusion, employment, childcare, travel and local wages.

Our aim is to engage with young people across Exmoor, covering parts of West Somerset and North Devon. We listen to their experiences, amplify their voices and connect them with expert support. We also share their insights with policy and decision-makers who can influence real change.

Ultimately, Exmoor Young Voices strives for positive action that prioritises the needs of young people. Our goal is simple: to ensure young residents can build their lives and careers on Exmoor, rather than feeling they need to leave the area to find opportunities elsewhere.

In February 2019, Exmoor Young Voices became a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This step strengthened our work and enabled us to access additional support and resources. Today, we collaborate with a wide range of local organisations, public bodies, charities, councils and community groups who share our commitment to improving opportunities for young people across Exmoor.

Our work has also received national recognition. In 2024, Exmoor Young Voices was honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK. The same year, we were named runners-up in Campaign for National Parks’ Young Changemakers of the Year Award, recognising the impact young people are making in rural communities.

Exmoor Young Voices is one of the few organisations dedicated specifically to representing young people in rural National Park communities. We are keen to develop partnerships with other National Parks and protected landscapes to support the creation of similar Young Voices groups. By working together and strengthening our collective voice, we can help drive the changes young people in rural areas need to build their futures.
​EYV Achievements so far:​
  • Winning The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2024
  • Runners-up for Campaign for National Parks’ Young Changemakers of the Year Award 2024
  • Set up a unique Self Build Project for young people on Exmoor, providing free advice and support for individuals and families interested in building their own homes
  • Supported the publication of 'How to Self Build your Dream Home for £99,000 - or less!', a game-changing self build manual by Justin Tyers
  • Established connections with a Community Interest Company providing self build loans and grants to young people
  • Identified with Exmoor National Park Authority, 23 potential self build sites
  • Delivered self build tours, seminars and presentations including Parliamentary, ITV, and BBC
  • Identified a range of issues in research with Exmoor young people, including housing, digital communications, transport, environment, local incomes and rents, submitted in a full report to the National Park in 2015
  • Placing the issues facing young adults onto the agendas of authorities: housing, rents, mortgages, finance, planning, sites, section 106, digital inclusion, travel costs, wages
  • Delivered 2 Summits bringing together Exmoor’s young adults with National Park Authority, housing associations and major authorities to discuss sustainable life and work opportunities
  • Advised on digital inclusion, coverage, costs and continuing limitations
  • Consulted on the new Somerset Homefinder application form and website
  • Housed 15 young locals who had otherwise been ruled out due to technicalities
  • Have 3 small cottages bequeathed to us for young locals to rent in the future
  • Partnerships with public authorities, charities and foundations serving Exmoor
  • Secured membership of Exmoor Rual Housing Network and the new Local Community Network for Exmoor
  • Addressed every major authority, forum, consultative group, conference, farming and business network concerned with Exmoor about the challenges young residents face
Trustees
Will Lock, Chair of Trustees
​Robyn Gummer
Joshua Smith
Teresa Williams
Justin Ruthven-Tyers
Marion Silverlock
Ginny Saunders
Chris Wilmoth
​Sam Camp
Officers and Committee
Robyn Gummer, Chair
Magdalena Harding, Treasurer
Megan Hunt, Secretary & Coordinator
​Joshua Smith
Nick Hosegood
Sam Camp
Robyn Gummer
Becky Nelder
Ian Nelder
Johnathan Williams
Annabelle Gregory
Laura Harding
Malcom Harding
Mark Taylor
Advisers
​Leslie Silverlock, Funding Adviser
Steven Pugsley, Exmoor Adviser & County Councillor
Jan Ross, Charity Adviser
Ginny Saunders (Webbers) Exmoor Property Adviser
Charity Commission Reports
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01.01.21 - 31.12.21
File Size: 322 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Trustees' Annual Report for the period 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2020
File Size: 315 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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© 2026 Exmoor Young Voices is a registered charity: 1182091

We are proud to have received The King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2024.