Young Wolverhampton people helping shape future of the high street

Wolverhampton Council, the University of Wolverhampton and Creative Black Country has been accepted onto Actors of Urban Change, a Europe-wide programme which promotes sustainable urban development and will give young people a voice in city development.

Professor Laura Caulfield, founding chair of the Institute of Community Research and Development at the University of Wolverhampton, said: "Actors of Urban Change brings such exciting possibilities for us.

"We’re thinking all the time about how we work with young people and how we work with organisations to co-produce work to make sure that young people’s voices are heard.”

The first Youth Lab Wolverhampton event, an online drawing workshop, saw artist Dan Griffin-Hayes capture the thoughts of young people on what improvements they want to see made to Wolverhampton city centre and Bilston and Wednesfield town centres.

Landmarks

Improvements included more colour and greenery, more independent businesses, multi-purpose public spaces, additional places to relax in, walking trails incorporating landmarks, statues and other works of art, the creation of legal graffiti walls and a celebration of Wolverhampton's existing architecture.

The results were based on a survey of young people which will help to shape the vision for Wolverhampton’s bid to the Government’s Town Fund of up to £25 million.

Councillor John Reynolds, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for children and young people, added: "The Actors of Urban Change programme is a great opportunity for us to even more closely involve our young people in the development of their city, and to give them a say.

"Earlier this year, we launched our ambitious new Youth Engagement Strategy, #YES, designed to help Wolverhampton's children and young people reach their full potential and be healthier, be connected and be heard.

"The work of Youth Lab Wolverhampton goes hand in hand with this; there are lots more exciting activities planned over the coming months so I would encourage young people to get involved."