Meeting documents

Members of Bucks Youth Voice will give a presentation on the work of Youth Voice and feedback from their recent event held on 8^th November.

The Chairman welcomed Miss Grace Allen and Miss Eve Clayton of Bucks Youth Voice to the meeting.  Miss Allen and Miss Clayton gave a presentation on the work of the Bucks Youth Voice Steering Group and a recent event held in the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury where 70 young people attended to share ideas and to question a panel of professionals, which included the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health.

During the presentation and in response to subsequent Member questions the following main points were noted:

·         Bucks Youth Voice is an important mechanism for bringing together young people and professionals across Bucks and provides an opportunity for young people to have their voices heard.

·         At their event in November, seven workshops were held covering issues such as Safety, Mental Health and Resilience, Post 16 opportunities and Employability, Activities and Leisure, PSHE and Life Skills and Involvement in Decision Making.

·         Mental Health and Resilience was an issue of particular importance to young people who felt that support needed to be more readily available to them if they experienced difficulties and that there should be a variety of options in terms of the type of support that was offered. It was important that young people knew where to find help and what services were available.

·         It was also noted that young people felt discriminated against in the areas of employment, apprenticeships and housing.

·         Young people were happy to give their views, but would like to receive better feedback from professionals as to how their suggestions and opinions have influenced decision making or service delivery.

·         A steering group based in Wycombe would be meeting from December.  Wycombe District Council, in association with Wycombe Youth Action, was also establishing a Youth Council, where young people would be setting the agenda.

·         Mr N Brown, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health reported that the Youth Voice event had been a valuable opportunity to liaise with young people, who engaged well and asked intelligent questions of the professionals panel.  He had already passed on their concerns around Mental Health to NHS colleagues when he attended a Health Summit event.

·         Mr P Irwin, Member for Waddesdon advised that he was keen to establish a youth club in Waddesdon and suggested that he might come to Waddesdon School to discuss with students what facilities and activities they might like to see there.

·         In response to a question about how best to engage with young people, Miss Allen and Miss Clayton said the Council should reach out via schools and also perhaps have a website where young people could give their views. They were encouraged that the Council wants to hear from young people.

·         In response to a question regarding encouraging girls into politics, Miss Clayton commented that she knew lots of her friends were interested in politics and were keen to get involved.  She believed that people of all genders, races and background should be encouraged to do so.

The Chairman thanked Miss Allen and Miss Clayton for attending the meeting and wished them every success for the future.