Being audacious for and with young people was a strong take away from the Room for Young People Conference and Inspiration Awards April 16-17thth in Birmingham.
Positive audaciousness means taking risks, being brave and intrepid, having the courage to aspire for and achieve more. It was in that spirit that Clarion Futures and Liverty began to develop the conference just a few months ago through the HAYN group, and I was delighted to offer some assistance for the excellent team working through the various ideas and logistics required for an event reaching over a hundred attendees.
The awards night on the 17thgave the chance to recognise the achievements of young people and staff. What shone through each nomination was the efforts of different individuals and ambassador groups to create good. The awards celebrated young people as champions for the Environment and Community Action; as ambassadors; for their work in enterprise and the arts; and for their own personal breakthroughs. From Bradford to Plymouth, young people persevered with their beliefs, overcame life challenges, and always gave support to others. Winners came from Bright Futures, E:Merge, Peabody, Plymouth Foyer, and Salvation Army Housing Association. Judges for the awards included an international perspective from Bianca Joyce, a passionate activist for young people in Australia.
The night was particularly moving to remember the life of Jane Slowey CBE for her contributions to young people over a distinguished career. The Breakthrough Award, emphasising the determination of young people to find their talents, was the perfect choice to honour someone who appreciated the intrepid nature of young people and always led from the front. I know Jane would have been delighted with the winner, an inspiring young woman nominated by Peabody Transitions who has constantly sought to take positive action.
The highlight at the conference was the Dutch staff and young people from Startblok and Kwintes, working together with youth ambassadors co-ordinated by Clarion. It was a brilliant example of the powers of cultural exchange, the ways in which young people can support each other to generate insights, and the importance of active ‘listening’ spaces for that to happen. I also particularly enjoyed the powerful voice of Kate Hitchcock, from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, highlighting the importance of belief as a driver for change during my workshop on Asset-based approaches along with YMCA Crewe and Foyer Federation. Contributions from Kathy Gilmore (Liverty), Michelle Reynolds (Clarion) Anisa Haghdadi (Beatfreaks), Sarah Willis (Hyde Housing) and Laura-Jane Rawlings (YEUK) added to a range of passionate voices on the day.
If we truely believe in young people, we must all take more ‘surprisingly bold risks’. That means daring to share our resources to work together – from funding and capacity, to expertise and experiences. A Room for Young People is built through all of us.
