Young People’s Question Time, a collaborative effort by Young Inspectors and The Anthony Walker Foundation’s TRSA programme, has welcomed young people from across the city.
Young Inspectors, facilitated by Targeted Services for Young People, is a nationwide project that promotes youth voice and young people inspecting youth provision.
The Anthony Walker Foundation works to tackle racism, hate crime, and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services, and by promoting equity and inclusion for all.
The event encouraged young people to ask questions on a range of subjects, including supporting schools across Merseyside, tackling social issues, and young people’s needs.
Ami Yesufu, event organiser and Liverpool City Council Youth Participation Lead, said: “Today is about giving young people access to buildings like this.
“We have young people from across the city who will be raising questions to our panel of decision makers.
“There was a city-wide needs assessment with the National Youth Agency conducted in conjunction with Liverpool City Council.
“It was to see what is there for young people, what are the concerns. Today is about addressing some of those concerns.
“It’s always about reflecting the concerns of young people.”
Those in attendance had the opportunity to engage in a range of workshops, encouraging them to question those in positions of power, facilitating conversations surrounding social problems, and tackling worry and anxiety.
AIMS Schools, Young People’s Advisory Service (YPAS), Child Friendly City Programme, and First Person Project CIC were also participating and hosting workshops.
Speakers on the panel included Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for Transport & Connectivity, Reena Bhogal-Welsh, Director of Education and Inclusion, and Monique Collier, from YPAS (Young Person’s Advisory Service).
Attending the event, Alana Bennett and Lewis Gibson from The Social Brokers, said: “We work predominantly with year five and six kids. We do sessions every week in the classroom to broaden their horizons about life, motivate them and help them set goals.
“Three of our junior social brokers are here today to experience an aspect of the type of thing that they could get involved with.”
