When the call out came for young people to attend an event to talk about what it's like to grow up in Leeds, the Student LSCP were happy to get involved. The Youth Voice Summit invited young people from a wide variety of local youth and community groups to come together to meet with Councillors and decision makers to talk about Leeds.
Over 140 young people from across Leeds attended the event in the Civic Hall, to contribute to the discussion of what it's like to grow up in Leeds.
The “Let’s talk about Leeds” event gave young people the opportunity to:
- Learn more about the city and what is available for young people
- Share their views and ideas with Councillors and other decision makers about what could be improved
- Meet and work with other groups from different backgrounds and areas of the city
- Influence the outcome and recommendations of the Leeds City Council scrutiny inquiry.
The event was opened by Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member for Children and Families, Councillor Alan Lamb, Chair of the Children and Families Scrutiny Board and Hannah Lamplugh from the Voice Influence team, who all stressed the importance of young people contributing to the discussions on subjects which effect them.
Table top discussions gave the young people the opportunity to work with each other and to discuss ideas and make suggestions for improvements on the following themes:
- Staying safe
- Learning and skills
- Being healthy
- Having fun
- Having a voice.
The event was a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet other youth groups and to have an input on forward planning. All their views and opinions will be used as part of the current Leeds City Council ‘Scrutiny Inquiry’ to help monitor progress towards becoming a ‘child friendly city’. The Student LSCP were pleased to be involved and to contribute to the discussions.