Youth Groups Join Forces To Tackle Key Issues Affecting Young Islanders

Young people on the Isle of Wight have set out ambitious plans to tackle important issues raised at this year’s Isle of Wight Youth Voice Conference.

Members of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust Taskforce, together with representatives from the Isle of Wight Youth Council, have launched a Six-Point Plan aimed at addressing areas identified as most in need of action by young people on the Isle of Wight.

The plan will focus on:

1. Employment
2. Young people and mental health
3. Environment
4. Transport
5. Equality & diversity
6. Youth provisions

The dedicated group of young people plan to work with local leaders in business, politics, health and transport, as well as environmental and charitable groups, to bring forward meaningful, positive changes.

Highlights of the plan include seeking a commitment from local businesses to consider robust support and development for those age 13-15.

The group will also lobby for more funding for mental health services for young people as well as undertaking a feasibility study on youth clubs and activities for young people outside of school and home.

They also aim to work with relevant bodies to improve urban spaces on the Island, to make them feel safer for young people, and will urge authorities to do more to prevent sewage from being released into our rivers and seas.

Affordable travel is also a big issue, with the group aiming to tackle public transport fares and look into the feasibility of a number of new bus routes on the Island.

The group will also be working to create a new Equality & Diversity Forum including all community groups which offer youth services across the Island.

Charlotte Andrews, Chair of IOW Youth Trust Taskforce, said:

“Our first youth conference was a massive success with regards to being able to bring together the views of many adolescents on the Isle of Wight.

"The six-point-plan constructed subsequent to the conference now creates an accurate and informed portrayal of the most pressing issues facing young people on the island.

"This will enable the youth trust taskforce and many other agencies to begin the actions needed to improve the lives of young people on our Island.”

Lianne Ponferrada from the Isle of Wight Youth Council said:

“As Chairman of the Isle of Wight Youth Council, I see the Six-Point Plan as a testament to how effective collaboration is.

"We need as many young people as possible to hold politicians accountable so that they have no choice but to enact focused change for us.”

If any young person aged between 11 – 24 years old is interested in contributing to the development of the plan and being a part of a focus group about the entire plan or one of the points, they should email taskforce@iowyouthtrust.co.uk sharing what part of the plan interests them and why.

A further youth conference will be held on 12 October and details of how to get involved in the event will be published in advance.