Our young people are struggling. I can see that as an MP, a father, and a youth mentor.
Youth facilities have been underfunded for over a decade and many have closed. In an increasingly digital age, more young people are lonely and struggling with their mental health.
I know what it means to struggle as a young person. I left school with no GCSEs. As a young man, I struggled with focus and direction. At 17, I decided I needed to change and do something different. I enrolled in evening college and joined the Parachute Regiment Reserves.
But I have to ask myself, if I were growing up in 2025 – would I benefit from the opportunities that I had? Would I be on the path I am today? That drives me to consider the future for our young people here in Southend and Rochford.
What we’re doing Nationally
This is a subject close to my heart. So, I’m pleased that the Government are introducing a New National Youth Strategy to break down barriers to opportunity for young people.
Young people will be at the heart of a national conversation to help co-produce the strategy to unlock opportunities in every community and deliver more coordinated youth services.
Inspired by the Local
We already have some fantastic local youth organisations here in Southend. The YMCA, Achieve Thrive Flourish, and Get the Kids Out are doing incredible work delivering inspiring programmes for our young people. But they need support, and part of my job as MP is to meet with these organisations, shout about the fantastic work they’re doing and work with them to ensure they’re getting the support they deserve.
In this vein, this spring, I’m planning to bring all the relevant voices together for Southend East and Rochford’s first Youth Summit.
This initial summit will be the first in a series of public engagements which brings voices together, most importantly young people’s voices, to discuss the challenges facing young people in Southend, and in Rochford district.
If you feel as strongly as I do about improving the opportunities available to our young people, please get in touch!
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By Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford