Young people help to shape future of Hinckley and Bosworth at Youth Conference

 Ideas were received from 69 students representing nine secondary schools at the Borough Council's Youth Conference earlier this month. The event, aimed at 12 to 15-year-olds, was held as part of the council's 50th anniversary celebrations. 
  
The conference offered young people a varied and interactive programme of activities, including workshops on preventing serious youth violence, climate change, and health and wellbeing. 
  
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth and Young Person’s Champion Robin Webber-Jones and in addition to the interactive activities, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety Councillor Michael Mullaney delivered a presentation on what the council has achieved over the last 50 years. The young people were then given a chance to put forward their ideas about what they would like to see achieved in the next 50 years. 
  
Table discussions with councillors then followed, involving young people's suggestions about what works well within their communities and suggestions for improvements. Councillors will be arranging follow-ups with the schools in their wards. 
  
All of the views shared by young people at the conference will be collated and shared with partners in the New Year. They will help refresh the Borough Council's Young People's Strategy and inform the work that the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) carries out. 
  
Councillor Robin Webber-Jones, the Borough Council’s Young Person Champion said:

It was a joy to attend such a successful event. The feedback gathered so far reflects how informative, useful and positive the event was for students, teaching staff and councillors. 
  
It is vital that young people have a voice in the borough, it is their future we are working towards. So much of the council's work is about improving and growing the borough for the next generation to thrive.

The conference was supported by partners including Go-Getta, Leicestershire County Council, Teen Health and Hinckley Police. Thanks to the Meeting Centre in Hinckley where the conference took place.