"My experiences of taking part in our space were very positive. The young people felt heard and we had the opportunity to see closely how public spaces around Greater Manchester treat young people. We had the opportunity to lead and plan the previous our space event which was amazing.  We were able to have a say in what changes need to be met. 

The issues I spoke about included the lack of available prayer rooms in public spaces. Sometimes when there is a prayer room available they may be quite small so not many people can pray in them and many don’t provide single sex prayer rooms. Libraries aren’t very young people friendly and they close early so we can’t study for long hours. 

These were just some of the issues the young people brought up about their treatment in Public spaces. Others included lack of service funding, language barriers not being catered for, working class stereotypes, discrimination, lack of neurodivergent friendly spaces and many many  more. 

Young people need to be included in the conversation of how public spaces are run. young people are shoppers, public transport users, artists, students, pupils as members of society we should not be ignored. 

So we hope todays conversation will bring about change in the way public spaces and services interact with and include young people."

"I joined Our Space because they came to the youth club that I used to go to. I was inspired, they made me realise that as a working class person i have the power to make a difference. 

I want accessibility because i want our public spaces to be easy to access to make it easier for everyone to use these spaces. accessibility helps everyone to feel included and removes a layer of discrimination helping open up the public spaces to more people. I want accessibility because everyone is worth the same and should feel that way. it also means that spaces can increase diversity. 

Manchester is becoming more diverse and the muslim population here is growing, yet still there are many public spaces  with a lack of prayer rooms or don't provide them at all.  I and many of my peers tend to experience ignorance from staff in these public spaces when we need to pray and this can be frustrating for me. 

There are many public spaces available to young people but many of these spaces are not young people friendly. Young people tend to find that these spaces can be quite judgemental and not very welcoming safe spaces for young people. This is something we must work to change together. 

We need public spaces to listen to the the voices of young people, that is the first step of making us feel more included, I am passionate about getting the voices of muslim young people heard so we have the facilities we need and we can be respected in those spaces."

"I joined Our Space because I was frustrated. Frustrated with the lack of safety on public transport.I feel very unsafe travelling by myself at night. I feeI like I can’t go shopping with my friends without us getting judgemental looks or being followed by the shop security guards.I think shopping centres are not very welcoming and inclusive of young people and always perceive young people as troublemakers.

I am very passionate about basketball and I attend a basketball club which I really enjoy.It infuriates me that the nearest basketball club is 2 hours away(by bus). I don’t feel safe in the interchanges and I feel that they should make it safer for young people and others also. 

I believe more inclusive public spaces will mean a better environment for all people and of course young people.  Let's work together and improve opportunities for girls to do sports! Let's make a change! Let’s turn conversations into action, and create spaces where young people feel safe!"

"I believe that public spaces should be more welcoming to young people of all backgrounds and people of all walks of life. Young people are frustrated with the lack spaces that are not young person friendly in places where we are often judged when we, could be studying, having fun, or using transport. 

The main reason for joining our space was to create better environments in public spaces for young people with additional needs. I would to see more public spaces become more accommodating for those young people. 

This is only achievable by listening to what young people have to say, and by working with young people to create better more welcoming spaces." 

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