Youth voice on Covid – “Talk with us not about us”

I was a bit surprised at this. Whether it’s a data protection issue or whether it’s too tricky to ensure parental permissions, the lack of imagination in providing an opportunity for children and young people to be recognised and heard by the media, decision-makers and the public at large, is alarming. We are ALL in this together and every voice counts.

On 14 April, in response to a daily briefing question from Times journalist Francis Elliot, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, did send a message to children and young people, paying a tribute to them for “doing the best they can” under lockdown, and saying “thank you” to those volunteering. From an economic perspective he reassured young people that “we are all in this together” and “it is our job to provide opportunities and hope for everyone in the future”, assuring them that he would be asking “what can we do to turbo-charge” plans going forward. We look forward to hearing what the answers will be, and perhaps giving children and young people themselves, the opportunity to put that, and other questions, to the Chancellor, or the Prime Minister, in person.