Future-proofing our communities

On Friday 24th November 2017, young people from East Sussex Youth Cabinet, the Children in Care Council, disabled young people’s participation groups, local youth forums and school councils came together for Takeover Day to discuss community resilience.Takeover Day 2017

They key discussion point throughout the day was what makes a community strong, happy and healthy? Young people were encouraged to consider themselves as assets and discuss what they could contribute to community development. Attendees also learnt about the ‘Building Stronger Communities Fund’ and were given the opportunity to develop their own project ideas in small groups. Each group commented and advised on the other ideas and came up with 5 final projects, including a Junior Parliament for 7 to 11 year olds and an inclusive, cross-generational emotional support centre.

Community resilience is one of the East Sussex Better Together priorities as it is really important for good health and wellbeing. A strong community is more confident and well-connected, can act on the issues that affect the people in it, and collaborate with others to make local services more relevant and effective. Research shows that strong communities are not just a ‘good thing’; they actually keep people active, involved and healthy.

The ESBT Alliance, made up of local NHS organisations and East Sussex County Council, are working in partnership to ‘future-proof’ our health and social care systems, alongside the voluntary and community sector, as well as empowering local people to keep themselves fit, healthy and independent. This video, produced by East Sussex Youth Cabinet, shows how important it is to involve young people in this work, highlighting the great capacity they have for leadership and for raising creative ideas.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToY7k9Fyjw&feature=youtu.be

At the close of Takeover Day, young people who attended were asked ‘Do you think young people are important assets in the community?’ – the answer was a resounding ‘YES’!