On World Children’s Day, members of Cardiff Youth Council met with Cardiff Public Services Board (PSB), a group of Cardiff leaders and decisions makers who work to strengthen the city’s public services. The event, led by young people, aimed to inform PSB members about Cardiff Youth Council’s current priorities and have discussions about how these priorities can influence the board’s actions.
Cardiff Youth Council members, Ryan, Mikaeel and Jesslin hosted the event and started the day by introducing the Leader of Cardiff Council and PSB Chair, Cllr Huw Thomas, who set the scene with a speech highlighting the importance of peer led collaboration.
Between September 2022 and February 2023, Cardiff Youth Council delved into 2 robust sources: the Cardiff Council’s Child Friendly Cities (CFC) Survey and the School Healthy Research Network (SHRN) data. The 2022 CFC survey, participated in by 7,660 primary and secondary pupils, and the SHRN data with responses from over 11,000 secondary students, provided a rich tapestry of insights into the lives and aspirations of young people in Cardiff.
Based on this thorough data analysis, Cardiff Youth Council chose 3 priorities: Cost of living; Health and Wellbeing; Gender. Youth Council members created and delivered presentations based on these priorities to the PSB members, and then engaged in subsequent meaningful discussions about future joint working.
Cost of Living
In our presentation on the cost of living, we highlighted how financial pressures are increasingly impacting the youth of Cardiff. We spoke about the struggles our peers face, from concerns over rising educational expenses to the burden of basic necessities becoming unaffordable for many families. Our emphasis was on the need for innovative solutions to provide support concerning transport, school meal prices and finance education.
Health and Wellbeing
When discussing health and wellbeing, we stressed the need for more accessible mental health resources and supportive environments in schools and communities. We shared our vision on providing accessible, supportive and private ‘safe spaces’ for young people in schools, libraries, hubs and leisure centres.
Gender
Our presentation on gender revolved around the importance of gender equity and inclusivity in all aspects of life in Cardiff. We talked about the challenges faced by young people due to gender stereotypes and discrimination, and the impact this has on our ability to express ourselves and participate fully in society.
Reflections and Looking Forward
this day was not just about sharing Cardiff Youth Council’s views; it was a validation of their role in shaping Cardiff’s future. It reaffirmed our belief that young people’s opinions are valuable and necessary for creating a vibrant, inclusive city.
Cardiff Youth Council are more motivated than ever to continue this journey of advocacy and change!
