Young people get their shout

TV star Rick Edwards joined with around 150 young people aged 13 to 19 to discuss issues close to their hearts during a half-day youth conference at UCL Academy in Swiss Cottage.

Called Camden Shout Out, the event took place on 7 April, and gave young people the chance to discuss issues that are important to them, ranging from crime, jobs and youth democracy to local services for young people, health and wellbeing.

Organised by the Council’s youth service, Youth MP Hannah Morris, the Youth Council and Youth Action Groups it was also aimed at encouraging eligible young people to vote in the forthcoming General Election as well as participate in next year’s Camden Youth MP election.

The event included a series of workshops that allowed young people to focus on issues that young people feel are important and which are a priority for the Youth MP, Youth Council and Camden Council.

Among issues covered were:-

•Gang-related crime and disorder

•Youth unemployment

•Youth homelessness

•London Living Wage

•Voting and votes at 16

Local services and organisations also ran stalls to give young people more information about local services, such as libraries and apprenticeships.

Camden’s Youth MP Hannah Morris said: “The Shout Out event gave the young people of Camden the chance to get involved and have a say in their local community.

"All 18 year-olds should use their vote in the General Election as the decisions of those elected will have a major impact on everyone’s lives, including young people. However, because too few young people actually use their vote, politicians pay less attention to their interests and needs and concentrate more on the older generations who do use their votes, such as pensioners. Politicians won’t change their agenda to include our needs unless we use our say.”