20 year old Lisa Harvey from West Middlesbrough has been chosen as one of only nine young people nationally, to sit on a panel advising Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (CLG), Hazel Blears.
The panel which has been set up to provide a young person’s perspective on CLG policy, as it is being developed, is made up of young people aged between 15 and 20 who are currently Young Advisors in their local communities. Lisa who works as a Youth Support Worker for social enterprise, Just 4 youth, and is also studying for a BSc (hons) in Youth Work & Youth Studies at Teesside University, takes up the story:
“Our main role will be to give a young person’s perspective on policy issues which will affect us as young people – things like community empowerment, housing, planning, regeneration, delivery of local services and use of public space. It makes sense to get young people’s views considered to make sure that planners and providers are giving us what we need instead of what they think we need. As young people, we often have very creative ideas about how to change things for the better.” All Young Advisors nationally were invited to apply to form the panel, and the final nine members were selected at an assessment day in September.
Kevin Franks, Operations Director at Just 4 Youth, is delighted with the news, “Lisa really deserves this recognition – she has already made a great contribution as a Young Advisor in Middlesbrough and has been instrumental in some major projects for Just 4 Youth, such as the youth proofing of Cleveland Police’s annual policing plan for the last two years. This opportunity will give her the chance to contribute to government policy on youth engagement and help young people be listened to.”
‹ Back to News
