Month: November 2024

Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) helped to run a social action event at Techniquest, empowering young people to identify issues and create positive change in their communities.

The event began with an introduction to the “How to change the world” toolkit, explaining social action with examples like uniform swap shops, tree planting, protests, and writing to the council. The young people then discussed why their voices are important and should be listened to by adults, highlighting children’s rights and the responsibility of adults to listen to them.

The young people then identified issues they cared about, discussing how these issues made them feel and why they cared. They then used the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to explore which rights weren’t being protected. They also discussed what an ideal world would look like.

The groups then drew problem trees, with the problem at the centre, the causes as roots, and the effects as the leaves, which helped them build a case for change. Following that, the young people changed their problems into a vision for the future, turned the causes into positives, and considered the benefits of their vision.

Here are some examples of issues and solutions that were discussed at the event:

• Litter was a key concern, with schools envisioning a clean world and proposing solutions such as more bins, community litter picks and educating people.

• Mental health was highlighted as an issue, with one school wanting a happier place where everyone can get care. They suggested more places for mental health support, training in schools and more funding.

• Racism was a focus for some, with the ideal being a world without racism. They proposed fair and good education, people being heard and having a voice, and equal opportunities.

• Safety was a concern for one school with regards to rivers, and they wanted cleaner, healthier rivers. Another school wanted safer roads with less traffic and pollution, suggesting CCTV, lighting and speaking to the council.

• Play spaces were seen as lacking by one school, and they wanted free playgrounds in every corner. They suggested making parks more fun, and raising money for parks.

• Poverty was identified by one school, with a vision of a world where everyone can overcome poverty. They wanted everyone to have access to enough food and housing and suggested more jobs for all.

The groups then hung their trees on a washing line and moved onto planning their next steps, using the toolkit and following “Gwenno’s journey” to bring their ideas to life. They created an advocacy plan and filled in postcard pledges which will be sent to their headteachers.

The event was a day of collaboration and empowerment, and CYC were proud to be a part of amplifying the voices of young people across Cardiff.

For the past 5 years, I have worked tirelessly within CYC to make a positive change for the youth of Cardiff. From occasionally contributing to subcommittee discussions to now as an outgoing MYP, scrutineer, and Vice-Chair entering university life, having volunteered Over 260 hours with CYC alone. Cardiff Youth Service, Child Friendly Cardiff and the wider council have offered me so many opportunities over the years; it would sadly be impossible to list all the wonderful adventures and people I have met within the scope of a blog post- perhaps when I next return to Cardiff!

Long-time members will know that I was never quite shy, but there is no denying that CYC has significantly improved my communication skills; I believe that CYC’s opportunities have made me a much more articulate and sociable person. Similarly, CYC encouraged me to leave my comfort zone which, especially as a teenager during the Covid-19 pandemic, was incredibly important- CYC has sent me to new environments, to explore cultures, and to see worlds beyond Cardiff. Across countless interviews, the opportunities to explore new horizons were consistently presented as one of the youth council’s biggest offer. CYC truly gives both new life skills but also life experiences, and, regardless of volunteering’s selfless nature, there is no denying that everything you do within CYC appeals to future employers, to the community, and to everyone you meet; even connecting you with like-minded individuals. Through CYC, I have even had the opportunity to make history: representing CYC at the Festival of Remembrance for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

These points were perhaps somewhat clear; speaking to changemakers will obviously influence your ability to influence change itself. One thing I did not expect was the broadening of my understanding of society and the world. Through CYC’s subcommittees, I have worked on issues from the cost-of-living crisis to the environment, from city planning to the importance of women’s health. Due to globalisation, we live in a shrinking world; however, as we become disconnected it feels like we live within a growing locality. CYC has helped me to understand the true issues affecting citizens of Cardiff and the globe in a hands-on way which are not taught in the classroom.

Of course, there are things I would have done differently- at times, we have attempted to fix the world rather than effectively solve smaller, local issues. Sometimes, there is a vital need to recognise the limitations of funding and restrictions of local government processes- bureaucracy does not favour quick change. This is why I feel the new model for presenting issues to CYC is so particularly fascinating, it focuses on local issues and the true local impact CYC can make.

CYC has several set traditions, but perhaps one of the most significant is reiterating the phrase that “you get out of it what you put in”. It is, of course, completely true- whilst the support of the incredible staff and members is crucial, it is your individual commitment and passion that drives change. CYC relies on its members for everything; the future of Cardiff and beyond relies on it. Whitman famously said, “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” I have greatly enjoyed my contributions (which at times have felt more like paragraphs than verses), but I now sincerely look forward to the verses of future youth councillors. CYC offers you so much, I implore you to take as much from it as you possibly can. 5 years goes by awfully fast.

Children and young people across Cardiff continue to play an active role in shaping their city, with 10 participatory opportunities delivered throughout October 2024. Although a smaller group took part this month, 17 dedicated young people volunteered a total of 53 hours, contributing their views, ideas and lived experience to influence decision-making in Cardiff and beyond.

Activities this month included:

• A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and a CYC Executive Meeting, ensuring the youth voice remains central to citywide policy conversations;
• Participation in the UK Youth Parliament Annual Conference at Warwick University, where young people from Cardiff joined peers from across the UK to debate national issues and share best practice in youth democracy;
• An Equality Officer Meeting, contributing to efforts to make Cardiff a more inclusive city for all children and young people;
• A session of the Task and Finish Group, supporting focused input into the development of policy and practice in line with young people’s priorities.

These opportunities form part of Cardiff’s wider commitment to being a UNICEF Child Friendly City, where children and young people’s participation is not just encouraged but embedded in how decisions are made. Their involvement supports Cardiff’s ambition to ensure children’s rights—especially their right to be heard—are realised in practice.

“Participation is about more than just turning up. It’s about shaping the city we live in. Every voice adds value, and this month’s contributions have once again shown the power of listening to children and young people,” said a representative from Child Friendly Cardiff.

Even when numbers are smaller, the impact of youth voice remains significant. Cardiff Council continues to thank and recognise all young people who take the time to share their perspectives and drive change in their communities.