Building Bridges: Tackling Poverty Through Youth-Led Solutions

The North East Child Poverty Summit brought together powerful voices, compelling stories, and a collective call to action. As a youth advisor dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people, I had the privilege of addressing the summit to represent their insights and lived experiences. Sharing their urgent messages on poverty, safety, education, and opportunity was a profound honour and responsibility.

The Urgency of Action

Poverty remains a pervasive barrier for young people in the Northeast. It influences every aspect of their lives health, education, safety, and their future aspirations. During my speech, I emphasised an undeniable truth: young people must not only be listened to; their ideas must drive meaningful action. Systemic change is not just necessary, it is overdue.

Key Messages from Our Young People

The voices I represented at the summit highlighted critical areas where change is most needed:

• Education as a Gateway, Not a Barrier
  Schools should be inclusive spaces where all young people, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive. For this to happen, the education system must evolve, embracing diverse learning needs, supporting mental health, and equipping students with real-world skills.

• Employment That Recognizes Potential
  The transition from education to employment is fraught with challenges, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Young people want training that prepares them for meaningful careers and a job market that values them beyond exam results.

• Mental Health as a Foundation for Thriving
  Access to early and integrated mental health support is critical. Long wait times and limited resources exacerbate the challenges faced by many young people, leaving them feeling isolated and unsupported.

• Safe and Inclusive Communities
  Safety is a fundamental right. Yet for many young people, unsafe streets, strained relationships with authority figures, and a lack of welcoming spaces diminish their sense of security. They envision communities where they can connect, grow, and feel protected.

Beyond Listening: A Call to Act

The voices of young people are a blueprint for change. Their ideas, shaped by their lived experiences, offer practical solutions to the systemic challenges they face. My role at the summit was to amplify those voices, ensuring their messages are embraced and translated into meaningful policies and actions.

This requires more than token gestures, it demands co-production. We must work alongside young people as equal partners, shaping a North East where they can thrive.

Building a North East of Safety, Health, and Hope

The future of our region depends on the choices we make today. Let’s ensure those choices are guided by the voices of the next generation. Together, we can break the cycles of poverty and inequality, creating a Northeast where every young person can reach their full potential.

The message from our youth is clear: This is not just about being heard. It’s about being valued and acted upon. Let’s rise to the challenge and turn their vision into reality.

Let’s build a Northeast defined by safety, health, and hope for every young person, today and for generations to come.