Andy Burnham engages youngsters at Kashmir Youth Project

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited the Kashmir Youth Project (KYP) in Rochdale to meet with local young people and hear about the challenges they face growing up in the area.

The Youth Forum event provided an opportunity for participants to voice concerns on issues such as housing, career aspirations, recreational spaces, transport, and crime.

Mr Burnham acknowledged the importance of understanding the unique realities faced by Rochdale’s youth. He said: “Today, I want to acknowledge that each of our realities is unique, and the challenges we encounter vary greatly.

“It’s important for me to listen to all perspectives, and I genuinely want to understand what you and your friends think and what areas require change so that I can advocate for those improvements.”

The Mayor’s session, chaired by Saqlain Khalid, Vice Chair and Youth Lead of KYP’s Board, also included a lively question-and-answer segment.

One KYP apprentice shared her struggles with housing, explaining that many of her peers found it nearly impossible to get onto the property ladder. Burnham expressed sympathy and stressed the urgency of addressing housing issues in Greater Manchester.

“Housing is the biggest issue facing us all,” he said. “I think we need to be building a lot more to ensure that everyone can afford a home.”

A marketing apprentice raised concerns about the lack of career guidance for young people interested in non-traditional fields. She shared that career advice often focuses on university or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) pathways, leaving other options overlooked. She noted it was only through her own initiative that she discovered opportunities in marketing. Burnham discussed the availability of online platforms to explore career pathways but admitted more could be done to raise awareness.

Pupils from Falinge Park High School and Wardle Academy highlighted the lack of youth provision in the area and asked how the mayor could address it. Burnham agreed that better access to youth clubs, affordable activities, and community services was essential to keep young people engaged and out of trouble.

He acknowledged the rising number of school exclusions and the increase in social anxiety among young people since Covid, emphasising the need for safe spaces and recreational activities.

“It should never be the case that financial limitations or a lack of support from family prevents anyone from reaching their full potential,” he said.

A student from Manchester Metropolitan University raised concerns about personal safety and community tensions fuelled by far-right rhetoric. Burnham responded, “A hate crime against an individual could make a whole community feel frightened, and so therefore the police response, in my view, needs to be as immediate as possible.”

Zulf Ahmed, CEO of KYP, added, “For young people, particularly those just stepping into adulthood, the system can feel overwhelming.

"Young people face many bureaucratic hurdles when trying to navigate education, skills, health, and housing, and are not adequately prepared when leaving school with the essential life skills. More resources and support for community hubs like KYP need to be allocated to continue supporting and encouraging young people to reach their full potential and become active citizens.”

Burnham pledged to consider the issues raised and urged young people to play an active role in shaping their futures by engaging with decision-makers at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the local council. He invited KYP to facilitate a visit for the group to his office in Manchester.

The session highlighted the voices of Rochdale’s youth and the importance of platforms like KYP in bridging the gap between local concerns and regional decision-making.