Heywood man joins Youth Panel to give young people a stronger voice in Whitehall

A new team of 'youth advisors' was unveiled today by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears yesterday (Thursday 16 October) as a 'voice for young people' on key issues from turning around run down areas to supporting vulnerable people and building communities that young people want to live in.

As one of two youth advisors Rory Birch, 20, from Heywood, will meet with the Secretary of State on a monthly basis to give a young person's perspective on departmental policy issues which have particular relevance to, or impact on young people.
He will also have the responsibility to feed back these discussions to the other panel members and obtain their views for future meetings.

Rory Birch said: "I am very pleased to be on the Panel of youth advisors with the experience of making a difference locally. It will now be interesting to see what difference we can make nationally. I feel privileged to be selected to work on the panel and proud to represent my region of the North West.

"It's important for young people to have their voices heard as we have our own views on how things are and our opinions will shape the future. Young people are human beings like everyone else and deserve an opinion. To add to this with all the negative press and issues surrounding young people in these times, something needs to be done about it and the idea behind the youth advisors panel is definitely a step in the right direction. I look forward to the challenges ahead."

Rory and his colleague will be supported by a panel of seven other young people who will meet with the Communities Secretary every three months. In between meetings the two advisors will discuss and debate with the rest of the panel.

Yesterday's meeting focused on young people's views on making green spaces - like parks, piers and town centres - more attractive to young people and protecting them from vandalism. The Minister asked her new advisors to report back after discussing ideas with the rest of the panel.

The new 'Young Advisors' panel will be an opportunity to influence or give a young person's perspective on government decisions that affect young people. This acts on recent proposals to put more power into the hands of communities - and younger people themselves - in this summer's White Paper 'Communities in Control'. The White Paper also proposed establishing a Minister's shadowing scheme and internships with councillors for young people to get an insight into their work and break down misconceptions.

The panel members range from 15 to 20 years old and were handpicked by the Hazel Blears from across the country from the established national pool of 'Young Advisors'. There are around 300 young advisors across the country and they have received accredited training and are familiar with speaking out on young people's views to adults as part of their work locally. They also have an established network of peers in their local communities with whom they can discuss issues and seek views.

Hazel Blears said: "Young people are enthusiastic, energetic and care about their future with good ideas that should not be overlooked. But while most young people don't vote and many seem disaffected with traditional politics, over two thirds of 18-24 year olds say they are interested in local issues - and young people are often willing to volunteer.

"My youth advisors panel will champion young people, their views and ideas. I can hear first hand how decisions in Whitehall might affect young people to ensure their voice is heard".

Gary Buxton, Chief Executive of the Young Advisors Charity said: "It's great to see how young people who are part of the Young Advisors movement can be making such a difference locally, regionally and nationally. Meeting with Hazel personally will demonstrate to young people all across the country how important they are in today's world."