South Ribble Borough Council in Lancashire has announced that it has secured membership of the British Youth Council (BYC) as it seeks to further engage young people in the area.
The BYC is a national organisation which aims to empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives.
The organisation supports young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decisionmakers and leaders.
The council believes that joining the BYC will offer an invaluable insight into best practice on how to engage the borough’s younger people and ensure their concerns across South Ribble will be communicated to government and key decisionmakers at a national level, helping to shape nationwide campaigns and policy.
It is also a major step forward in plans to establish a local youth council for the borough once current Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Commenting, South Ribble Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder said: "This is fantastic news for South Ribble. It is so important that our young people feel they have a voice in our community and are able to make a difference, both to the area in which they live and at a national level.
"Being members of the British Youth Council will greatly assist our continuing efforts to better engage the young people of South Ribble and help us in our goal of establishing our own local youth council in the months ahead."
South Ribble Borough Council's Lead Member for Youth and Mental Health Awareness, Councillor Matthew Trafford added: "This is another example of the many great steps we have taken to incorporate young people into the democratic process.
"Many young people are incredibly passionate about their communities and keen to get involved in shaping the futures of those communities.
"Joining the British Youth Council and establishing our own local youth council for South Ribble are important steps in ensuring that our young people have their voices heard."
South Ribble's youth council is intended to provide young people in the borough with a platform to share their opinions and offer their perspective on matters that concern both themselves and their peers.
It will be an open and safe space for residents aged 13-16 to express themselves and know that their opinions are valued, with members playing a key role in creating and influencing matters that may affect the borough.
