Young people talk and Council listens

More than 40 young people put council officers through their paces at an event organised to gain their views about future plans for children and young people's services.

Across the county Herefordshire Council has been forging stronger direct links with children and young people through a range of events, consultations and activities so that children and young people can participate more in planning services which will affect them.

There are a number of forums where young people can share their views such as the Youth Council, Shadow Cabinet Board and school councils. But the event organised is specifically for those who find it difficult to contribute and often get left out of the loop when it comes to expressing their views.

The one-day event called "You Talk - We Listen took place on Friday
26 October at Hedley Lodge, Belmont.

In the morning the young people shared share ideas about what it's like to be a young person in Herefordshire at the moment, and how they think they should be able to influence the services they use. They shared this with Council staff in the afternoon and worked together on a plan to help young people get a better deal from the services they use.

Sharon Menghini, director of children's services, said: "Children and young people are at the heart of all we do and therefore we must listen to their views and reconsider our services in light of their feedback. Their voices should be heard and used to influence our thinking and used as a regular health check on how we're doing"

The findings of the day will be fed into a long-term Children and Young People's plan which is currently being developed for consultation in December.