Young People’s Question Time comes to Knowsley
Over 70 young people took part in Knowsley Young People’s Question Time, held at OurPlace Youth Facility in Huyton.
The event was delivered by Knowsley’s Youth Parliament and Young Advisors as part of their campaign to work closely with Elected Members and decision makers in the borough under the banner ‘If you want us to buy into democracy, you need to talk to us, not about us.’
The panel was chaired by Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, who was joined by Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Knowsley; Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture; Steve Logan, Principal of Knowsley Community College; Lesley Martin-Wright, Chief Executive of Knowsley Chamber; Dr Peter Ayegba, GP and CCG Mental Health Lead and Robyn Dooley, Knowsley Member of Youth Parliament.
Young people from across the borough asked the panel a diverse set of questions on issues including bullying, apprenticeships mental health and Votes at 16.
The event allowed the senior decision makers to hear young people’s views and discuss the following key issues identified by Knowsley’s young people in the Make Your Mark Ballot conducted in October 2013:
- Zero tolerance to bullying in schools / colleges
- Better work experience and careers advice
- Mental health services and education should be improved
- Apprenticeships
- A curriculum to prepare young people for life
Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, said “I am delighted that I was once again invited to chair the panel and to discuss the issues that are important to young people, in what was another lively and constructive debate. It was a great success.”
“Many adults presume young people are not interested in politics but that is certainly not the case in Knowsley. I’m very proud of how passionate our young people are about having a voice and holding us to account on the issues important to them.”
Cllr Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Community, Leisure & Culture (and panel member), added “The event was a fantastic opportunity to hear what our young people are thinking and to debate a range of issues. I was really pleased to take part and I feel that young people should have the opportunity to get involved in politics as early as possible. The more young people who get involved the better.
“We want to work closely with young people in Knowsley, after all, they are the leaders of the future.”
If you’re a young person living in Knowsley and would like to get involved in young people’s voice, contact The Rights & Participation Team on 443 5745 or visit www.shout4knowsley.com
Photographs from the event can be found on Flickr.
Lisa Bennett
Communications Manager
Knowsley Council
0151 443 2221
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