> Empowered – Barnsley teenagers have their say
Press
Empowered – Barnsley teenagers have their say
Rob Wilmot is a South Yorkshire lad ‘done good’. At 39 years old, Rob has already achieved that which many local young people feel is out of their reach. A founding executive of the internet service provider Freeserve, he sold the company for £1.6bn in 2001 and now works as a motivational speaker and philanthropist. His message to the seventy-five young Barnsley people that attended the youth conference this week is “you have the right to succeed – if you take it, you can make it”.
On Tuesday 9 February, South Yorkshire Police and the Police Authority joined forces with Qdos dance and theatre company and entrepreneur Rob Wilmot in the first of many conferences for young people to be held across the region.
Seventy-five young people aged fourteen and fifteen from three schools in Barnsley took part in four workshops addressing crucial issues that they had asked to be consulted about. The topics centred around drugs, alcohol, antisocial behaviour and sexual assault.
Supported by Carlton Community College, Barnsley Academy, Dearne High and their respective Children and Young Peoples Officers, the young people were able to air their views and put questions to agencies such as CASH and The Barn who specialise in providing advice and support to young people in Barnsley around issues such as sexual health, drugs and alcohol.
The conference is just one of the ways that South Yorkshire Police and the Police Authority are consulting with young people as part of the wider Children and Young Peoples Strategy, which facilitates the agencies responsible for the safety and welfare of South Yorkshire residents in their consultation and engagement with young people.
Rob Wilmot, speaker and entrepreneur, said; “There is not a lot of hope amongst many young people. For some it is an amazing achievement even getting a job that only pays as much as being on the dole. I wanted the young people to know that they have the right to succeed. A lot of kids ultimately truly believe that opportunities aren’t out there for them. But everybody deserves it – if you take it, you can make it.”
Specialist Community Engagement Unit Inspector Gwyn Thomas, South Yorkshire Police said; “The young people’s conference was a great success. It provided a safe and supportive environment for our young people to discuss quality of life and crime issues that affect them. We are working with our young people, ensuring that they are part of the conversation and not just the subject of a debate. The lessons learnt from days like this will help shape future policing polices and we will continue to take every opportunity to involve, engage and consult with all South Yorkshire communities.”
Beryl Seaman, an independent member for the Police Authority said; “The aims of the conference were to listen and to inform and thanks to all those involved we have achieved both. I would particularly like to thank the young people involved for an open and honest conversation. The points they raised will assist in how these same topics are addressed by police in the future. This initiative will hopefully be rolled out throughout South Yorkshire over the coming year.”
Anjie Taylor, Artistic Director, Qdos Creates said; “We hope that our 15 years’ of experience, combined with local knowledge of the communities we work with made the event worthwhile for the young people, and that it was informative and memorable. We are delighted to have worked on this project”