Every young person has rights: We, as a representative council for 11-25 year olds, advocate for positive change and children’s rights across the city.
The Cardiff Young Citizens Panel has been created to engage young people, aged 8–25, in city decision-making. Panel members can share their views on topics like transport, education, health, and climate through surveys, focus groups, and workshops. Cardiff Council has already collaborated with young people on projects such as school development and climate strategies.
This initiative addresses the need for youth involvement in local governance, aiming to empower young voices in shaping their city. It supports Cardiff’s goal of being a Child Friendly City, ensuring that young people’s opinions are considered in decisions impacting their futures.
By involving young people early on, Cardiff hopes to foster active citizenship and promote positive changes. The feedback gathered will influence policies and projects, contributing to ongoing city development initiatives like One Planet Cardiff. This participation strengthens local democracy and prepares future generations to engage with civic issues.
Having Tegan Griffiths, a member of Cardiff Youth Council (CYC), sit on the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee of Cardiff Council ensures that youth perspectives are represented in decisions impacting vital services like housing, social care, and community well-being. This role allows young people to contribute to discussions and scrutiny of policies that affect not only adults but also families and the broader community. It implies a more inclusive, intergenerational approach to decision-making, where the needs and insights of Cardiff’s youth are considered in shaping the city’s services, fostering a more responsive and equitable local government.
Do you want make a real impact in your city? CYC offers a platform to influence decisions on key issues like mental health, education, and the environment, empowering members to make positive change. By joining, young people can develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, boost their confidence, and collaborate with like-minded peers. It’s a chance to advocate for equality, work on meaningful projects, and shape a better future for Cardiff while gaining valuable personal and professional experience.
September 2024 was a standout month for youth participation in Cardiff, with 11 opportunities for children and young people to get involved and influence decision-making at a local level. Across these opportunities, 102 young people volunteered an incredible 329 hours of their time, contributing ideas, challenging systems, and helping shape services that affect their lives.
Young people participated in a broad range of meetings and activities, including:
A Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) General Meeting and a CYC Executive Meeting, where key discussions took place on youth priorities and ongoing campaigns;
Several sessions focused on the development of the Under 11 Social Action Toolkit, co-designed with younger children to support meaningful civic action;
A series of scrutiny meetings, where young people examined and challenged council decisions and policies;
A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) meeting with the National Youth Agency, contributing to national discussions on youth voice;
And a focused session exploring how to make the council’s complaints procedure more accessible and child-friendly.
These sessions are part of Cardiff’s continued commitment to being a UNICEF Child Friendly City, ensuring that children and young people are not just heard, but actively shaping the services and policies that affect them.
CYC Members Courtney, Ffion and Grace speak to BBC’s Lucy Vladev about online safety after the recent publication of a survey carried out by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes.
The survey showed that while many kids feel safe online, a lot of us still experience serious issues like bullying, threats, and unwanted interactions.
Since February 2024, the Children’s Commissioner’s office has run a survey called Monthly Matters, so far they have run surveys on the following:
What would you do if you were in charge of Wales?
School dinners: What are they like?
Travelling to school.
Play/Break times.
Online Safety.
Summer Holidays.
The Survey and What It Means
The survey gathered insights from over 1,200 young people in Wales, aged 7 to 18, and the results were eye-opening. It found that although 76% of children feel happy and safe online, only 32% think that their concerns are taken seriously when they report problems. This disconnect is worrying because it means that many of us might not get the help we need when we face difficulties online.
Our BBC Interview: Sharing Our Stories
During our interview with the BBC, we shared our personal experiences with online safety. Ffion, 16, talked about how quickly things can get out of hand on gaming platforms. What starts as friendly banter can easily turn into something more serious, like threats. She highlighted the importance of adults paying attention to these interactions because things can escalate fast.
Courtney, also 16, expressed concern about the fact that some social media and gaming platforms are reducing their safety restrictions. She pointed out that this is happening at a time when the dangers of being online are becoming more apparent. “It’s strange that platforms are making it easier for harmful content to spread, instead of protecting us,” Courtney said.
Grace, 13, talked about how some people online find ways to get around safety features like blocking. Even though her mom monitors her online activity to make sure nothing weird is happening, it’s still difficult to avoid harmful users. “Even when you block someone, they can still find ways to get to you,” Grace explained.
Why This Matters: Our Call to Action
Our interview with the BBC wasn’t just about sharing our concerns—it was also about calling for action. The media has the power to bring these issues to light and push for change. We believe that by telling our stories, we can help push for stronger protections and ensure that our voices are heard.
We support the work of Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, which is creating a code of practice to protect children from harmful online content. This code is expected to be ready by next spring, and it needs to include strong measures to make sure that platforms are held accountable for keeping us safe.
What Needs to Change?
We believe that tech companies need to prioritise our safety. The survey showed that platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, and Roblox are where young people often feel unsafe. These companies should put stronger safety measures in place, such as better moderation and stricter age verification.
We also need better communication between young people and our parents or guardians. The survey found that less than a third of children in Wales regularly talk to their families about what they’re doing online. We encourage parents to have open conversations with us about our online activities. This can help us feel more comfortable sharing our experiences and asking for help when needed.
Finally, we think it’s important for policymakers and regulators to involve young people in decisions about online safety. We are the ones who use these platforms every day, so our experiences and opinions should shape the rules and policies that are meant to protect us.
Moving Forward: Our Commitment to Change
As members of Cardiff Youth Council, we are committed to advocating for a safer online environment for all young people in Wales. Our experience with the BBC has shown us how powerful it can be to share our stories and start important conversations.
We hope that the findings from the Children’s Commissioner’s survey will lead to real changes that make the internet a safer place for everyone. The time for action is now, and we, the young people of Wales, are ready to be part of the solution.
In an exciting and closely contested election, Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) has chosen its new Chair and Vice Chair. Seven candidates vied for these prestigious positions, including Steffan Raynor Owen, Emile Chapin, Emily Gao, Megan O’Neill, Tegan Griffiths, Ryan Bestwick, and Grace Lee.
Candidates for the Chair & Vice Chair election – Steffan Raynor Owen, Emile Chapin, Emily Gao, Megan O’Neill, Tegan Griffiths, Ryan Bestwick, and Grace Lee.
After an enthusiastic campaign period, Emily Gao was elected as the new Chair, while Megan O’Neill secured the role of Vice Chair. The outgoing Vice Chair, Zack Hellard, graciously welcomed the new leadership and took the opportunity to thank the staff and members for their support over the past six years.
Outgoing Vice Chair, Zack Hellard, and incoming new Chair and Vice Chair, Emily Goa and Megan O’Neil
In her acceptance speech, Emily Gao expressed her gratitude to Zack Hellard and Mikaeel Moulani, the previous Chair who could not be with them, and everyone who voted for her, emphasising her excitement and commitment to serving the youth council. Megan O’Neill echoed these sentiments, looking forward to contributing to the council’s initiatives and representing the voices of young people in Cardiff.
New Chair Emily Goa and New Vice Chair Megan O’Neil
The election event was notably inclusive, with the attendance of young people from Gwynedd youth forums, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among youth representatives from different regions.
As CYC embarks on this new chapter, members are optimistic about the positive changes and initiatives that the new leadership will bring.
On July 17th, Cardiff Youth Council (CYC) welcomed a group of young people from Gwynedd’s youth forums to their general meeting, creating a dynamic platform for exchange and collaboration. The meeting, held in the heart of Cardiff, provided an opportunity for both groups to learn from each other, share their experiences, and discuss issues that matter to young people across Wales.
Elections for New Leadership
The meeting kicked off with an important event on the CYC calendar: the election of their new Chair and Vice Chair. Members of CYC took part in the voting process, demonstrating the democratic values at the core of their council. The election set the tone for the rest of the meeting, highlighting the importance of youth leadership and active participation in decision-making processes.
Sharing Visions: CYC’s Presentation
Following the elections, members of CYC delivered an informative presentation about their organisation. They outlined who they are, their structure, and the work they do to represent the voices of young people in Cardiff. The presentation emphasised CYC’s commitment to advocating for positive change and highlighted some of the key initiatives they have been involved in, ranging from mental health campaigns to environmental activism.
Gwynedd Youth Forums: A Unique Structure
The visiting young people from Gwynedd then took the floor, offering insights into their unique structure. Gwynedd’s youth forums are composed of three area forums, each of which feeds into a county-wide forum. This layered approach allows for a wide range of voices to be heard and ensures that local issues are brought to the forefront at a county level. The Gwynedd representatives explained how they set their work priorities based on the needs and concerns of young people in their areas, striving to advocate for changes that will benefit their communities.
A Workshop for Future Collaboration
The meeting concluded with a collaborative workshop, where both CYC members and the young people from Gwynedd explored what matters most to them. Through discussions and activities, they identified similarities and differences in the issues facing their respective regions. This workshop was a valuable exercise in understanding the diverse perspectives across Welsh counties and finding common ground for future collaboration.
The visit marked an important step in building stronger connections between youth councils across Wales, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared purpose among young people committed to making a difference in their communities. Both groups left the meeting inspired and eager to continue working together to address the challenges they face.
At Cardiff Youth Council (CYC), our Gender Equity Steering Group is dedicated to promoting gender equity in our community. Recently, this group collaborated with Welsh Women’s Aid to review and enhance their new educational module on misogyny aimed at young people.
Understanding Misogyny:
Misogyny affects all levels of society, from explicit acts of discrimination to subtle biases. Addressing it is crucial for creating an equitable society. The new module by Welsh Women’s Aid aims to spark discussions among young people about misogyny’s roots and impacts.
Consultation Highlights:
Welsh Women’s Aid sought feedback from our Gender Equity Steering Group to ensure the module resonates with young people. Our group provided valuable feedback through engaging in deep discussions and providing an insight into how misogyny plays out in the lives of young people. We look forward to seeing how Welsh Women’s Aid incorporate these suggestions to enhance the module.
Looking Ahead:
This collaboration showcases the power of youth voices in shaping a better future. At CYC, we believe in involving young people in key discussions. We are proud of our Gender Equity Steering Group’s contributions, which will help create a more equitable society.
You may remember that at the end of last year, members of Cardiff Youth Council convened an assessment panel to go over grant applications for a social action grant scheme. The Young Changemakers scheme, which was a collaboration between Child Friendly Cardiff and Plan UK, were looking to fund groups of young people who had project ideas aimed at tackling a gender related issue. Some of our youth council members went through the applications and decided which projects they felt should receive funding.
Monday 29th April was a celebratory event for these projects. The first part of the day consisted of a spoken word workshop where the young people could express their experiences with gender in a creative way.
Professionals were then invited to the afternoon. The young people were able to showcase the work they had done on their projects through networking with relevant adults and presenting their key milestones. It was great to hear about the diverse range of projects!
With so many passionate people in the room, we wanted to use this opportunity to further showcase work that youth council members have been doing when it comes to gender. As a result, some members of Cardiff Youth Council’s Gender Equity Steering Group presented the CFC Gender Report. The report summarises the findings from all the gender projects that the youth council have worked on and provided recommendations based on the findings. The young people set the challenge to everyone in the room to consider what they can do, within their professional capacities, to implement the recommendations from the report.
To finish, we want to say a massive congratulations to all the young people who worked so hard to bring their project ideas to life to make Cardiff a more equitable city!
