Celebrations as Wolverhampton's newest youth councillors elected
A new group of young people from schools across Wolverhampton have become members of the city's youth council.
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The 49 successful candidates were officially announced at a special event in the Council Chamber last week.
Youth councillors work with Wolverhampton Council’s directors and councillors to promote the voice of young people and encourage them to get involved in their community.
The Youth Council represents Wolverhampton on a regional and national level, attending British Youth Council events and supporting Wolverhampton’s two Youth MPS.
The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach was joined by the Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Director of Children’s Services Alison Hinds, Deputy Director of Children’s Services Rachel King and other councillors to welcome the new youth councillors.
The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the Youth Council’s key achievements over the last 12 months, including working with the Community Safety Team on issues around crime and safety and the launch of My Tomorrow, a regional youth-led campaign to prevent crime, and to share a short film about being involved in the Youth Council.
Councillor Coogan said: "Wolverhampton Council takes the views of young people seriously and we are keen to co-produce our services with them.
"I and my fellow councillors welcome the level of challenge and scrutiny the Youth Council provides.
“The Youth Council has been in operation in the city for over 20 years and the skills developed by the group are being passed on and built on, year after year.
“It was a pleasure to meet our new youth councillors and speak to them about what the role of being a councillor involves, and we are really looking forward to working with them over the next 12 months.”
Harleen Nahal, Chair of the Youth Council, said: “I am delighted to formally welcome our newly elected and returning youth councillors for 2025 as we begin our next chapter advocating for the voices of young people across Wolverhampton.
“We are committed to ensuring that young people’s ideas, concerns, and aspirations are not only heard, but embedded into decisions that affect their lives. With the support of our dedicated participation officers, we will continue to co-produce policies, services, and initiatives in collaboration with members of the council, to create change that reflects the needs of Wolverhampton’s youth and help make Wolverhampton an even better place for future.”
To find out more about the Youth Council, go to www.yowolves.co.uk/get-involved or email #yes@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
