Young people ‘take over’ to highlight child poverty

Young people ‘take over’ to highlight child poverty

The annual Youth Takeover Challenge helped shine a spotlight on the issues that matter most to young people across Blackburn with Darwen.

BwD Youth Forum hosted their annual Takeover Challenge and this year the theme is Child Poverty.

Around 70 teenagers from across the boroughs secondary schools and leaving care forum came together at King George’s Hall to use their collective voice to influence local decision-making. Workshops included Resilience, Food Poverty and Mental Health.

The event was hosted by Blackburn with Darwen’s Youth MP, Muhammed Bapu, Deputy Youth MP Kazim Shah and YPS Apprentice Roisa McCusker along with members of the Youth Forum.

Muhammed Bapu, Blackburn with Darwen Youth MP, said:

“Events like this are so important and really do make a real impact. Today highlighted the true importance of child poverty especially given the ‘cost of living’ crisis affecting many children and young people. Hopefully we can go to on improve things for the young people of our borough”.

Food Poverty was one of the campaigns I focused on to be elected as Youth MP back in February 2022, I am proud and honoured that we can focus on such an important issue and hopefully influence decision makers to ensure that we mitigate any further poverty to children and young people in our borough”

Councillor Julie Gunn, executive Member for Children, Young People and Education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

“The Youth Takeover is a fabulous event that empowers our young people to join together to discuss issues that matter most to them and come up with solutions they feel can make a difference to where they live.”

The Youth Takeover Challenge is led by BwD Youth Forum and supported by Blackburn with Darwen’s Young People’s Services,

Following the workshops and discussions at the Youth Takeover Challenge event, the Youth Forum will prepare a report for the Council’s Executive Board meeting, the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny meeting and the Children’s Partnership Board.

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