Swindon Youth Forum

The Swindon Youth Forum was formed in April 2008, with a core group of 20 young people who collectively wanted to work together to change the negative perceptions of young people and to work in partnership with adults in authority to affect change across services that effect them in Swindon. With the aim of making a difference for all children & young people in the Borough.

The Youth Forum is open to all young people, aged 13-19; from across Swindon and meets regularly to discuss issues that young people feel are important to them. The Youth Forum currently has 175 members and has named young people who act as links with all secondary school's and youth services, ensuring as many young people have a voice in debates raised within the forum.

The Young people create regular update newsletters and circulate these to all schools and youth settings and have created their own web site.

The Forum have worked closely with elected members and Senior Managers from within the Children's Trust to agree on the key priorities for young people living in Swindon. From these meetings and from a wider consultation with young people across Swindon the young people have agreed 5 key priorities;
  • Improve communication with older generation's (what do we mean? Anyone that is not a young person)
  • Improve emotional well-being of young people
  • Encourage young people to participate in positive activities
  • Representation of young people in the Media
  • Reduce obesity in children & young people

These priorities have been built into Swindon's Children & Young People's Plan 2009-2011 and are highlighted as `young people chosen priorities'. All '5 Youth Priorities' have action plans with measurable outcomes, which are monitored by young people to measure success.

The Youth Forum have created a mechanism across Swindon for young people to have a 'voice' and membership is continually growing. They have created a 'Youth Charter' which is a set of rules that aims to get adults, young people working together effectively across Swindon and they have developed an action plan to further encourage young people from marginalised groups too access the forum.

www.swindonyouthforum.org.uk or Facebook page (Swindon Youth Forum)

Youth Residents

Update your details

Contact name
Paul Dobson, Project Manager or Barry Jones, Project Worker

Address
Penhill Youth Centre Cricklade Road
Penhill
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 7AS

Tel
01793 728555
Email
swindonstep@aol.com or can directly contact through web-site link
Web
www.swindonyouthforum.org.uk or Facebook page (Swindon Youth Forum)