LEICESTER’S Young People’s Council (YPC) have designed their first survey to seek the views of young people living, working or studying in the city.
The Young People’s Survey, which launched on Wednesday 29th October, will give young people aged 11–25 an opportunity to tell the YPC what issues are important to them.
Questions in the survey will cover topics including transport, health, employment and work experience, with young people asked their views on how important such issues are to them.
The survey will be available electronically, in schools, colleges and in voluntary and community groups.
The results will be used to shape the agenda for the Young People’s Council, and will give them a mandate to take forward the issues that affect Leicester’s young people.
Eighteen-year-old Ryan Quartey, chairperson of the Young People’s Council, said: “As representatives of Leicester’s youth, we want to hear what the issues are that matter to young people locally. The Young People’s Survey is giving us all a great chance to speak up. I think it’s a great opportunity”.
Fellow YPC member Aniqa Rashid, age 16, said: “We want young people’s voices at the heart of every decision.”
YPC member Muhammad Mahmood, aged 16, said: “I would encourage every young person in Leicester to participate in this survey, because I, as a young person, knows how it feels to have strong opinions about our city, but have nowhere to express them. This survey aims to give all young people a chance to influence their future. Every answer counts!”
And 15-year-old Daniella Olugbenga from the YPC said: “You are the best people to help reimagine our city”.
The Young People’s Council is made up of young people aged from 11 to 19, and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged up to 25. It represents the voice of young people in the local decision-making process, and links into the work of councillors across the city.
Assistant city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, said: “Young people’s voices are really important to us and we’re very keen for them to have a say in local decision-making.
“I am very much enjoying working with the Young People’s Council. They are passionate about representing the views of young people from all across the city, so I very much hope lots of young people will fill in the survey and help steer their future direction. It’s important that we know what matters to young people in Leicester.”
The survey runs until Friday 28th November and is available to fill in at www.leicester.gov.uk/participation
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