Young people from across Cornwall descended on New County Hall in Truro last Thursday for a “brilliant” and “high energy” third Annual Conversation.
The event gives them the opportunity to share their views and ideas with decision-makers at the council, exercising their right to be heard and taken seriously in matters that affect their future.
During the course of the evening they split into groups to discuss a range of topics with senior council representatives, including chief executive Kate Kennally and Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor.
Subjects included: smoking and vaping; cost of living; feeling safe in our communities; emotional health and wellbeing; transition between primary and secondary school; and being heard, valued and taken seriously.
At the end of this year’s event, each group collaborated to decide on actions that together they could achieve, such as:
- Addressing the hidden costs for rural communities when accessing hobbies.
- Improving buddying and mentoring for pupils moving between schools, particularly for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Supporting a ban on disposable vapes with letters to the council, Cornwall Youth Council and Members of Parliament.
- Creating more safe, communal spaces in schools to help build friendships and support mental wellbeing. A film will be made to support this.
- Start an ‘age doesn’t matter’ children’s rights campaign called Take Me Seriously.
Feedback from attendees at the event included:
“I loved hearing about the stories of how these conversations have shaped the council's approaches to things and the journey of the young people themselves. These were really empowering.”
“The whole event was excellent. The energy was really high and the atmosphere was positive.”
“Great to hear the range and views of young people. Lovely to have a diverse range of young people to share experiences and views.”
“Brilliant effort. So impressed with the way these young people are growing and shining.”
Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said:
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who organised and took part in this year’s Annual Conversation. The energy and passion on display was both hugely inspiring and reassuring.
“Young people make up one in five residents here in Cornwall so events like this are really important to ensure their voices are heard so we can meet their needs and create a better future for them.”
During the event, young people also had the opportunity to celebrate the work of their youth groups and the successful outcomes of previous Annual Conversation pledges.
Throughout the evening, the Y7 News Team – staffed entirely by young people under the mentorship of Kernow Education Arts Partnership (KEAP) and former BBC journalists – roamed the building on the hunt for interviewees.
At various points they questioned the likes of Kate Kennally, the council’s chief executive, Rachel Wigglesworth, director of public health, and Eveleen Riordan, service director for education and children’s community health, as well as other young people in attendance.
You can see the videos they made on the Y7 News Team's Facebook page.
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, said:
“I was interviewed by the Y7 News Team and I have to say I was hugely impressed with the way they all conducted themselves, questioned us and held us to account over the course of the evening.
“Their knowledge and passion was clear to see, and it is absolutely right that there is constant and open conversation between all young people in Cornwall and the people making key decisions on issues that affect them.
“It is one of the council’s key pledges that Cornwall should be a brilliant place to be a child and grow up and the Annual Conversation plays an important role in achieving this goal. I am hugely proud of everyone who took part and would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Hannah and the children’s rights team for organising such a fabulous event.”
The first Annual Conversation took place in 2021, following on from significant passion and engagement shown by children and young people for the G7 which came to Cornwall in June 2021.
It embraces Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states: “Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.”
For more information visit the Annual Conversation page on the council's website.
Press release issued on May 3, 2024.
