Former Young Mayor of Lewisham Wilf Petherbridge and former MP Oona King led a delegation of young people dressed in hoodies to 11 Downing Street and presented Chancellor Gordon Brown with a report calling for more resources for young people.
The Chancellor accepted the interim findings of the Make Space Youth Review, which is intended to influence the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, due to be published in June 2007.
The year-long inquiry, co-chaired by Wilf Petherbridge and Oona King consulted with 7000 young people across the UK to find out what life was like for a teenager today.
Young people were asked what they wanted from the Government and what services they needed to have the most healthy, fulfilling and exciting teenage years.
The interim findings revealed that young people need a centre or space of their own, in their local communities, that offer fun activities with support from adults.
The report said having this resource would mean fewer young people wandering the streets and getting into trouble.
The report also found that young people wanted a say in their local communities and to be involved in decision-making and recommended a system of Young Mayors backed by Youth Parliaments in every area.
Former Young Mayor of Lewisham, Wilf Petherbridge said: “We’re very fortunate in Lewisham to have successful and effective initiatives including the Young Mayor programme. It really encourages young people in the Borough to get involved in their local community, and gives young people an influential voice. This is part of what we are asking from Government, as well as places to go and things to do.
“The Make Space Youth Review has given young people across the UK an opportunity to have their say. Now we’re asking the Government to listen and to act on what’s been said.”