To change the systems we live under, we need to change policy. But this doesn’t need to be dry and difficult.
Young Policy Makers creates fun and accessible ways to build young working-class people’s power….
We think policy change should be as simple as:
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See a problem
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Identify a solution
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Convince others your solution needs to happen
We also think that the best people to lead the policy change that impacts young working-class people are young working-class people themselves.
When it comes to issues that matter to us and our communities the most, working-class young people are not being directly asked what we want to see change. Our Young Policy Makers programme is doing just that: bringing together determined and passionate working-class young people who not only want to see change, but lead it.
From January 2023 to December 2025, our YPM groups from Bolton and Leigh will be supported to campaign for policy change, in their local communities and on a wider scale. They will be asked about the issues that matter to them, and how they want to see them change. With the campaigning skills and knowledge developed throughout the programme, these young people will then create a campaign to bring about the policy change we need.
Some of the issues our Young Policy Makers groups have been exploring include:
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First Aid training for everyone.
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Training for adults working with young people.
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Changing our high streets for the better.
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Changing our green spaces for the better.
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Service provision for local people.
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Spaces for young people.
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Creative opportunities and places to develop skills for young people.
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Mental health support.
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The distribution of government (and other) funding across different areas.
If you are interested in finding out more about this programme, contact o.ouwehand@reclaimproject.org.uk
This programme is funded by The Blagrave Trust
“The systems that control the conditions we live in are confusing, inaccessible and exclusive. Big charities, politicians and elite commentators argue over details that have real impacts on the lives of working-class young people. We want to change that.”
Check out our Young Policy Makers resources here