Benson Hardy, Heritage and Culture Secretary for Isle of Wight Youth Council, shares this latest report. Ed.
The Youth Council is a group of young people, from across the Island, with varying backgrounds, who represent the voice of young people in decision-making and ensure that it is properly listened to, considered and valued.
Young people and future generations will, after all, be the ones to inherit the consequences of these decisions and will be the ones to live with their effects whether good or bad. Naturally we each have differing passions and we are able to channel this into our work, specialising in different subjects which are particularly pertinent to the youth of the Island.
‘Make Your Mark’ initiative
We gauge these priorities through an annual nationwide initiative called ‘Make Your Mark’, organised by the British Youth Parliament, and supported by Youth Councils across the country, it provides a ballot consisting of five key issues to young people, in order to further hone in on the most significant it is distributed to schools and youth services for 11 to 18-year-olds to cast their vote on.
Two-year term
Throughout our term, lasting two years, we form an action plan based upon this and through these objectives and aims are guided in our priorities.
As a means of consulting a broad cross-section of the youth population on the Isle of Wight we incorporate young people aged 11 to 18-years of age, affording us a wealth of perspective and insight which is so valuable when discussing ways in which the lives of young people could be enhanced.
Heritage and Environment Secretary
I am 17-years-old, and I have, to date, been part of the Youth Council for four years and currently hold the position of Heritage and Environment Secretary.
This is something which I am deeply interested in and have been fortunate enough to speak to many representatives, from Island based organisations, who work tirelessly to both preserve and celebrate the Island’s often hidden historical significance as well as to safeguard the Island’s precious greenscapes and wider landscape.
Together for Mission Zero
Recently, myself and a fellow member were honoured to attend a Together for Mission Zero event which was being held in the Department, also known as Elizabeth Pack’s, in Ryde, a building which has in itself become a crucial hub in the town.
TFMZ brings together a vast number of different individuals, all with experience in a diverse array of sectors, who are able to assist in involving the local community to reach the 2040 Net Zero target.
An opportunity for us to be able to speak and network with others
This is an event which we greatly enjoyed, hearing, during the presentation, from a number of speakers about how heritage and the arts can be integrated into this scheme.
Moreover, for the Youth Council this is also an appreciated opportunity for us to be able to speak and network with others, giving them a chance to converse with young people about our opinions on what they are doing, something which is very often absent.
Close relationship with IWC
The Youth Council works very closely with the Isle of Wight Council and whilst we are an A-political group (bearing no political associations) it is vitally important that we maintain strong ties with councillors so that we can work to create a proactive and wholly meaningful means for young people to be heard in the governance of the Island.
With the assistance of Cllr Debbie Andre, cabinet member for children services, education and lifelong skills, the Isle of Wight Council’s constitution was altered, last year, to include a dedicated Youth Council question at every Full Council meeting, this allowing us to directly question members on their consideration of young people in different matters, as well as the effect that this will have on young people and future generations.
Youth MP
Our Youth MP, Oliver McClean, delivered the question regarding the Council’s budget during the last Full Council meeting and we are now working to set questions for future meetings.
This kind of councillor support and representation within the larger Council is much appreciated and allows us greater recognition as a group which is able to offer the opinions of young people in response to the variety of alterations and changes to policy which the Council bring forward. We are then able to use this increased profile to do more for the youth of the Island and continue the positive campaigns and projects which we have been focusing on.
Dedicated and devoted to this cause
Despite our commitments to school and education, as well as other things besides, we are all very much dedicated and devoted to this cause and whether it is increasing and furthering our work with other youth groups, for example the Youth Trust Task Force, who we have joyfully begun working with recently, or whether it is meeting with key members of the community to discuss their support for young people, namely our recent meeting with the Isle of Wight High Sheriff, Kay Marriott.
We spoke about a vast number of different subjects and learnt both about the role of the High Sheriff past and present as well as the excellent initiatives which she has been involved with championing, over the course of her term in office, with an aim to see how we could assist in giving the High Sheriff an insight into some of the challenges facing young people on the Island.
Thanks for support
Lastly we would like to thank all of the organisations and individuals who have been kind enough to invite us along to meet with them and have welcomed our suggestions to improve the consideration of Youth voice in their activities.
New members welcomed
Furthermore we are also always open for new members (11-18 years old) to join.
If you have any further questions or would like to enquire about joining the Youth Council then please do not hesitate to contact me: [email protected]
Image: Youth Council members, Kay Marriot (centre), Oliver (wearing scarf) and Benson (far right)
