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Our voices

Lisa Gibbons

by Luca


This is the first article about the steering committee in the blog. The aim of this article is to share what the adults have been discussing in the committee, which meets every two months.


The main topics discussed in the steering committee were internet safety, safe spaces, school, and post-school opportunities.

Everyone was divided into breakout rooms (small chat rooms with five participants each) to discuss young people’s safety and potential improvements.


One Youth Voice leader said young people are talking about children’s safety online, noting that many are chronically online. Another committee member expanded on this, suggesting that it might be linked to young people not feeling safe to go outside.


It was highlighted that young people need safe places to go. A member of Wiltshire Police shared a plan to introduce a map of safe spaces across Swindon. The idea is to create the map with input from young people, which can then be used to strategically post police officers and install streetlights in unsafe areas.

Another suggestion was that retail spaces and businesses could serve as safe spaces, such as the local library. This could be similar to the "Asking for Angela" campaign launched in 2016 to help people who feel they are in danger.


School policies were also discussed, particularly the strictness of some rules and their impact on students’ mental health.


Concerns included:


• a lack of job opportunities for young people of all abilities;

• insufficient activities for young people aged 18+, including those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).


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