Agenda and minutes

Councillor Members of the Youth Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any item on the agenda and if so to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

It was agreed:

That the minutes of the last meeting of the Youth Cabinet held on 7 June 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Youth loneliness is an issue of our time. There has long been awareness of issues about loneliness and social isolation in older people, however recent attention is turning to the serious health issues for younger people and young adults.

With the appointment of the Minister for Loneliness it is apparent that recent media, civil society, research activity and not least the campaigning and advocacy of the Jo Cox Commission is ensuring loneliness is taken seriously.

Younger people can face difficulties when adjusting to life’s changes, or seeking a sense of belonging among others who share similar goals and interests. Social media, which is designed to connect, can add to feelings of isolation or provide pressure to conform or appear popular.

Whether old or young, most people have a strong need to feel a sense of belonging and connection with like?minded others. Communities can provide a sense of identity and belonging, which protects people from feeling lonely or isolated in times of change. Having a hub of people with shared experiences, passions or culture to connect with is good for our health and well?being.

The first step to end loneliness is to show we care. The aim of the Loneliness Connects Us Seminar (23rd June, atSt Michael’s Hall, Whitefield) is to raise the awareness of loneliness, by participating and creating an environment where young and older people and professionals in health care, can share ideas and create projects to end Loneliness.

The Loneliness Connects Us project is a youth co?research project, developed by MMU and 42nd Street, to bring the voice of young people into the growing conversation about youth loneliness.

For more information on this event and to register please follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/

loneliness?connects?us?seminar?tickets?45481045030

Mr Neil Watkins attended the meeting to explain the work that he was undertaking in relation to youth loneliness.

It was reported that youth loneliness is an issue of our time. There has long been awareness of issues about loneliness and social isolation in older people, however recent attention is turning to the serious health issues for younger people and young adults.

With the appointment of the Minister for Loneliness it is apparent that recent media, civil society, research activity and not least the campaigning and advocacy of the Jo Cox Commission is ensuring loneliness is taken seriously.

Younger people can face difficulties when adjusting to life’s changes, or seeking a sense of belonging among others who share similar goals and interests. Social media, which is designed to connect, can add to feelings of isolation or provide pressure to conform or appear popular.

Whether old or young, most people have a strong need to feel a sense of belonging and connection with like?minded others. Communities can provide a sense of identity and belonging, which protects people from feeling lonely or isolated in times of change. Having a hub of people with shared experiences, passions or culture to connect with is good for our health and well?being.

The first step to end loneliness is to show we care. The aim of the Loneliness Connects Us Seminar (23rd June, atSt Michael’s Hall, Whitefield) is to raise the awareness of loneliness, by participating and creating an environment where young and older people and professionals in health care, can share ideas and create projects to end Loneliness.

The Loneliness Connects Us project is a youth co?research project, developed by MMU and 42nd Street, to bring the voice of young people into the growing conversation about youth loneliness.

For more information on this event and to register please follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/

loneliness?connects?us?seminar?tickets?45481045030

Neil asked that all present who were interested in attending the event let him know and that they also pass on the information to anybody that they feel would like to attend.

Dates will be reported at the meeting.

It was explained that C4L (Curriculum for Life) was a national campaign but Bury young people were undertaking work locally to promote it.

Meetings had been held with young people and a survey had been produced for young people to complete to have their views on C4L highlighted.

Numair will report at the meeting.

Numair reported that he would ne attending the Youth Parliament which was being held from the 27 – 29 July at Nottingham University.

The main topic for debate would be around reducing tuition fees.

It was also explained that the Make Your Mark campaign would be discussed to highlight topics to debate at future meetings.  

The Circles if Influence event will be taking place on 3 July 2018. Members of the Youth Cabinet are asked to discuss the contents of the event.

The Circles of Influence was due to bed held on 11 July 2018 in the Elizabethan Suite at the Town Hall and would be led by the Youth Cabinet.

The event will give young people the opportunity to question decision makers, Officers and professionals from across a whole range of organisations.

Anybody interested in attending the event and/or helping out would have to get permission from their parents and their school in order to attend.

The Youth Cabinet will be asked to identify a topic, research and then hold a debate.

Access to wifi is available in the Council Chamber so that research can be undertaken.

Two debates were held.

Following the debates votes were taken.

It was agreed:

1.    That school uniforms should continue to be worn in schools

2.    That prisoners should continue to be given the right to vote.