Young people come together for city’s Takeover Day

Children and young people from Wolverhampton joined together at the city’s Art Gallery for the Takeover Day challenge on Friday (18 November).

The annual event sees children and young people consulted on a host of current issues and get involved in making decisions about things that affect them.

Key challenges for discussion included how to tackle bullying across the city, improvement work in the city centre and the issue of climate change, which saw young people learn about the City of Wolverhampton Council’s commitment to reduce emissions and meet with the project team to share their views and ideas.

Hosted by the council’s Co-production and Youth Engagement Team and supported by Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the day was a great success with scores of young people attending to challenge, ask questions, and set recommendations that impact change and development in the city.

Among those taking part were members of the city’s Youth Council, the #YES (Youth Engagement Strategy) Board, the HY5 group for young people with special educational needs or disabilities, the Children in Care Council, Culture and Diversity Youth Forum, Family Hub Youth Forum and Care Leaver Independent Collective.

The event was also an opportunity to evaluate #YES and gain vital feedback on the Yo! Wolves holiday activity programme.

Councillor Momenabadi said: "Over the last 12 years, Takeover Day has taken on a life of its own and grown into a real success story for our city.

“Takeover Day not only provides us with an opportunity to show young people how the council makes decisions for them, but also gives them a chance to influence officers in their day-to-day work.

"Children and young people bring with them fresh ideas, imagination and energy, and I would like to thank all the teams and young people who took part.”