Young people from Bradford are going to London to showcase the work they have been doing in the district to support their peers.
The Get the Life U Want (GLUW) group, which is made up of young people who are or have been in care, is taking part in a special reception at the House of Commons on Thursday, 25 June.
Organised by Bradford Council's Integrated Youth Support, the group carried out a large-scale survey of young people who are in care to assess what could be changed to improve services and make sure they got a good start in life.
The group will be attending the launch of the newly configured Confederation of Heads of Young People's Services, formerly the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers.
It will be hosted by Tim Laughton MP, Shadow Minister for Children.
Members will be talking about their research findings and promoting the Young Researchers Network (YRN), which supported them in setting up a young researchers hub to gather their information, to about 50 high-ranking Children's Services staff, ministers and peers from across the country.
The YRN is part of the National Youth Agency which was set up two years ago to develop peer-led research.
Coun Michael Kelly, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Services to Children and Young People, said: "This reception will give members of GLUW the platform for them to talk about the excellent work they have been doing to support young people in care.
"It will be a memorable and worthwhile experience for them to meet influential people in Children's Services while representing Bradford.
"They are also a fantastic example of our b someone campaign which is about helping children and young people to go on to achieve with support and encouragement from adults."
Norrina Rashid, Voice and Influence Senior Youth Worker with the Council's Integrated Youth Service, said: "The visit is a great opportunity for these young people to highlight what they have been doing in Bradford at a national level.
"They will also be encouraging other local authorities to follow in our footsteps set up pilot young researchers hubs so that young people can gather essential information directly from other young people."
The event will also look at the achievements of the national Aiming High project over the past two years, My Place projects, weekend working, and the 14 to 19 agenda.
Officer/Contact
Norrina Rashid
Voice and Influence Senior Youth Worker
Telephone: 01274 432135
Media Relations Officer
Carolyne Coyle
Telephone: 01274 432400
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
Date: 24.06.09
