The Staffordshire Youth Commission is linking up with a local leading social enterprise as part of a new chapter for 2019.
Safer Communities CIC (Community Interest Company), established by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, specialises in delivering workshops and assistance to young people’s groups across the county, offering support and promoting the work of others.
Safer Communities will begin work with the Youth Commission from February.
Earlier this week Staffordshire’s Youth Commission delivered its Big Conversation 2018 event at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis joined local authorities, public sector partners, safer neighbourhood panels, teachers and Youth Commission members, senior police and fire officers at Tuesday’s conference.
The Youth Commission discussed a series of core areas following dedicated research and engagement. These included Knife and Gang Crime, Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation, Mental Health, Community Breakdown, Hate Crime and Exclusion.
Mr Ellis commended the Youth Commission’s research, dedication and commitment – not to mention the screening of their powerful video about hate crime – and has welcomed the imminent appointment of Safer Communities CIC.
‘It was an amazing evening – the Big Conversation was hard-hitting, enthusing, uplifting and inspiration,’ said the Staffordshire Commissioner about Tuesday’s event.
‘But hearing young people speak so eloquently about issues that are important to them, with such passion, underlines the importance of raising awareness and tackling the real issues impacting on young people.
‘As I’ve said before, young people are the most qualified people to know the issues that affect young people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
‘Which is why I’m absolutely committed to supporting the Youth Commission that I set up. It is about crafting and supporting lives for the future.
‘The appointment of Safer Communities CIC will be a good fit for the Staffordshire Youth Commission and enable them to move onto a new, exciting phased of their development.
‘And with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue governance now in place I am sure members of that particular service will relish potential future involvement with the Youth Commission.’
Mr Ellis established the Youth Commission in 2016 as part of a project to engage with young people regarding police and crime issues.
The Youth Commission consists of members aged 14-25 years from a range of backgrounds across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Olivia Lucas, project co-ordinator, said: ‘The Staffordshire Youth Commission really did a fantastic job in delivering their key findings and recommendations for each of our priorities, and sparked exciting conversations all across the room for the round table discussions.
‘The strength and determination of the team was especially shown during the Q&A panel, where the audience put questions to the Youth Commission members and they responded with enthusiasm and confidence.
‘The event was a great success, with many pledges made by guests to work with the Youth Commission in the near future and we devised many actions that we can now work on taking forward. The Big Conversation 2018 was an unforgettable moment in the Staffordshire Youth Commission’s journey. The response we received was overwhelming and we feel very proud.’
