Major boost for plans to create South Ribble Youth Council

South Ribble Borough Council is delighted to announce it has secured membership of the British Youth Council.

The news is a major step forward in plans to establish a local Youth Council for South Ribble once current COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

The British Youth Council is a national organisation which aims to empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives.

It supports young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally - making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.

Joining the British Youth Council will offer South Ribble Borough Council an invaluable insight into best practice as it seeks to further engage the young people of the borough.

It will also ensure the concerns of young people across South Ribble will be communicated to government and key decision-makers at a national level, helping to shape nationwide campaigns and policy.

Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder, South Ribble Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building, said: "This is fantastic news for South Ribble. It is so important that our young people feel they have a voice in our community and are able to make a difference - both to the area in which they live and at a national level.

"Being members of the British Youth Council will greatly assist our continuing efforts to better engage the young people of South Ribble and help us in our goal of establishing our own local Youth Council in the months ahead."

Councillor Matthew Trafford, South Ribble Borough Council's Lead Member for Youth & Mental Health Awareness, said: "This is another example of the many great steps we have taken to incorporate young people into the democratic process.

"Many young people are incredibly passionate about their communities and keen to get involved in shaping the futures of those communities.

"Joining the British Youth Council and establishing our own local Youth Council for South Ribble are important steps in ensuring that our young people have their voices heard."

Alex Morton, South Ribble Borough Council's Youth Community Development Officer,  will now head up efforts to create South Ribble's own Youth Council, which is intended to provide young people in the borough with a platform to share their opinions and offer their perspective on matters that concern both themselves and their peers.

The Youth Council will be an open and safe space for residents aged 13-16 to express themselves and know that their opinions are valued. Members will play a key role in creating and influencing matters that may affect our borough.

To keep up with the latest developments on the South Ribble Youth Council visit southribble.gov.uk/youthcouncil, or email Alex Morton alex.morton@southribble.gov.uk to register your interest in becoming involved.

You can find out more about the British Youth Council at www.byc.org.uk.