Manifesto challenge for young people

8.33.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Apr 2007

Young people were challenged to draw up a manifesto for improving the borough at a conference held in Twickenham last week (April 4).

At the Richmond Youth Forum Manifesto Conference, held at Heatham House, they were asked to set out priorities for further improving the quality of life in the borough. The conference agreed four key priority areas: youth facilities; youth access (especially better access to services for young people with disabilities); transport; and tackling crime. These will now be enshrined in a manifesto and select committees of young people will meet regularly to take forward their ideas. Those attending the conference included representatives from schools, the Student Council, including the Student Mayor, and Members of the Youth Parliament.

Typical comments after the event were: Cherie Aris, 14, a pupil at Hampton Community College, and Member of the Youth Parliament for Richmond 2006, said: "It was great fun. There were lots of different views, and I am looking forward to carrying on working on things that affect young people in the borough. " Cole Walsh, 13, a pupil at Grey Court School, added: "It made me feel that young people can make a difference and that we are not just a voice that gets drowned out. It opened up new opportunities for me." Jemma Thompson, aged 16, also from Grey Court, said: "I haven't done anything like this before, and found out that a group of kids can change something."

Richmond Council Leader, Cllr Serge Lourie, who was among the Council representatives, commented:

"This was a tremendous event and further evidence of young people's strong commitment to improving the borough. It provided an excellent forum for young people to develop and share their ideas and, ultimately, it could help shape decision-making. We take all their comments on board. Services for the young are a major priority for the Council with more than £500,000 being spent on improving youth centres as well as a new £1million Youth Fund. We are going to listen carefully. We think young people should have a significant say in how the money is spent. Improved facilities are among the key priorities for young people. We share their aims and our spending underlines our commitment on this issue too," he added.