Attwells Solicitors
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Two years after becoming the UK's first Town of Youth Social Action, Ipswich's youth-led approach is reflected in the government's national youth strategy development.
Why it matters: Young people across the UK will help shape government policy through "one of the most ambitious listening exercises in a generation" to develop a new National Youth Strategy.
The big picture: The consultation, launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will collect views from those aged 10-21 (and up to 25 for those with SEND) on what support services, facilities and opportunities they need outside school.
What they're saying: "This is a generational opportunity for young people to have their say and deliver their order to Government, however big or small it seems," said Stephen Skeet of Volunteering Matters, part of the expert consortium coordinating the nationwide engagement, which includes youth engagement charity My Life My Say and the #iwill Movement.
"Ipswich is at the forefront of this work, led by our young people, and we must mobilise to support them to have a voice and connect with their communities."
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "We are handing power back to young people and their communities, giving them a genuine opportunity to help make the policies that affect their lives."
Behind the scenes: The government has appointed 13 young people to form a Youth Advisory Group and 14 experts for an Expert Advisory Group to guide the consultation process.
Abi, an #iwill Ambassador with Volunteering Matters, added: "I am happy to have been part of the The National Youth Strategy Consultation process as it has allowed me to raise the profile of some work going on in our local area as well as highlighting the issues that are important to young people.
"The hackathons that will be happening soon in Ipswich will be another showcase of highlighting youth voice and making sure they are heard in the final strategy."
What's next: Young people can participate through an online survey, physical events including peer-led focus groups called 'Democracy Cafes', and collaborative 'Hackathon' events.
The survey is open until 16 April.
The bottom line: Ipswich's established role as the UK's first Town of Youth Social Action positions it to make a significant contribution to the national youth strategy, with local young people having the opportunity to influence government policy on services that directly affect them.
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