Young Futures Commission launches
The Hackney Young Futures Commission, a major project aimed at amplifying the voice of young people in the borough, was launched this month at Stoke Newington School.
Deputy Mayor Bramble and Cllr Selman spoke to year 11 students at a school assembly on 23 January, to launch the project and speak to young people about their experiences of growing up in Hackney.
The Commission will hear evidence over the course of a year about the lived experience of young people in Hackney, to make sure young people’s voices are heard, by the Council and by its partners.
Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble said: “The Commission is going to be run by young people, for young people, in order for them to be at the heart of Hackney policy making, where will not only listen but provide a framework for that to happen. Young people will be able to see how their voice is not only heard but makes a difference.
“It is only with direct knowledge of young people’s experiences that we will be best placed to tackle the inequalities that are preventing them from getting the best start in life, that’s why the work of the Young Futures Commission is so important.”
Chaired by young people, over the next two years the Commission will be looking into the experiences of those in Hackney under 25, how they view the borough, what challenges they face, and how they feel about local services.
The Commission is going to be run by young people, for young people, in order for them to be at the heart of Hackney policy making, where will not only listen but provide a framework for that to happen. Young people will be able to see how their voice is not only heard but makes a difference.
It is only with direct knowledge of young people’s experiences that we will be best placed to tackle the inequalities that are preventing them from getting the best start in life, that’s why the work of the Young Futures Commission is so important.
Hackney Young Futures will be independent of the Council, but will be organised and accountable to it. The commission board is made up of young people themselves, community representatives, academic partners, those from the voluntary sector and councillors. The project will be supported by a major youth engagement exercise to get views from hundreds of local young people, which will start in spring.
We know Hackney’s young people are full of ideas, passion and talent. We want to make sure that those ideas and thoughts are at the heart of how we design our services. Living knowledge of those experiences will also help us work together in shaping the borough as it changes and grows. The Hackney Young Futures Commission will see that the next generation of Hackney’s residents are supported to feel safe, grow, achieve and thrive here in Hackney.
The first meeting of the Hackney Young Futures Commission is set for February, with a borough wide youth engagement programme starting in schools, youth hubs and in communities from Spring. Follow @younghackney on social media for updates or go online to find out more at: www.hackney.gov.uk/young-futures.