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What’s your issue?
“We are listening to you!” That’s the message Wigan Council is sending
out to young people across the borough.
Recent research undertaken on behalf of BT found that almost half of
young people in the UK (44%) believe that adults do not listen to them
or act on what they hear. Moreover, 56% said the Government are the
worst culprit, followed closely by local councils (54%).
In a bid to give young people a real voice, Wigan Council launched a new
scheme on Tuesday at the Wigan Investment Centre called ‘What’s Your
Issue’. By filling out a simple form, young people can now tell those
who can make a difference what needs changing.
A Youth Participation Panel consisting of young people, senior
representatives from the council, partner agencies and Wigan Council
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Brian Wilson will meet six
times a year to discuss the matters young people raise.
The key issues will then be taken to senior decision makers so they can
take action. Every young person who raises an issue will be given a
response telling them what is being done to address their concern.
 Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) for Wigan Borough Dean
Sharpe says: “I’ve been involved in lots of youth consultation that has
been carried out by Wigan Council and overall I would say it does listen
to what young people have to say.
“However, most young people don’t know who to talk to when they’ve got
something to say about public transport, vandalism or whatever. What’s
Your Issue will make it easy for young people to get their views across
to those who have the power to change things.”
Young people can already express their views through Comunik8 (a forum
made up school pupils), youth councils and by getting in touch with the
Wigan Borough MYPs and their deputies. ‘What’s Your Issue’ will
compliment these existing channels and ensure young people’s concerns
are acted upon as well as listened to.
“It is crucial that we improve communications between adults and young
people,” says Cllr Brian Wilson. “We can only provide better services
for young people by taking their views on board. This scheme will make
sure young people’s opinions are taken into account and acted on. We
want lots of young people to tell us what’s on their minds so we can
identify the key issues and address them.”
You can pick up a “What’s Your Issue?” form from local libraries,
Connexions Centres and from local groups and services for young people.
-ends-
Notes to Editors
Photos attached
• (From l to r) Nikolas Schickhoff, Kieran Deeney and Deputy MYP Dean
Sharpe give their views to Youth Participation Panel Members Cllr Brian
Wilson and Pete Gascoigne (Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Executive
Director for Policy and Regeneration).
Further information
• For further information please telephone Kennedy Stewart, Young
People’s Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on (01942)
486927.
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