Lambeth Youth Gather to Discuss Local Issues in the Hope of Boosting Participation
Operation Black Vote and Humanity Project have come together to create a space for Lambeth youth to share their thoughts on local and national political issues.
Lambeth locals sharing their thoughts on local and national political issues
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“Lambeth Black Youth” is part of a new initiative that organizers hope will encourage youngsters to get involved in politics in an area with one of the lowest electoral turnouts in the capital.
The organisation gathered Lambeth’s youngsters to discuss issues that matter to them the most. Joining them were activists from Operation Black Vote and the Humanity Project.
Lambeth has the fourth-smallest electoral turnout amongst London boroughs, with 31.7% turnout recorded at London’s 2022 local elections. The only boroughs with lower turnouts were Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Brent.
Attending activists became ‘mentors’ for the day and led discussions about different policy areas such as healthcare, education and crime.
The attendees workshopped potential solutions and were invited to discuss what they could do to make them a reality.
The aim of these discussions was to encourage the attendees to think about politics in a way that connects to their day-to-day lives.
Young Lambeth residents discuss local issues with activists.
Preparing Lambeth’s Future Voices
Cllr Shanelle Richards, the head organizer of the event, believes discussions like these give young locals the confidence to become more politically active.
“Just by creating the dialogue and giving the young people a safe space to speak, that is the game changer,” Richards said.
Andrew Morris, a local activist who took on the role of mentor at the event, said it proved “young people have a lot to say about politics”.
However, he stressed more needed to be done to tap into this potential.
“Events like these are essential to building momentum, but it’s important none of this just disappears into the ether”.
Although a wave of youth participation may not be on the horizon, activists remain confident that events like these prove there is a growing appetite for greater participation in the future.
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HeadlineLambeth Youth Gather to Discuss Local Issues in the Hope of Boosting Participation
Short HeadlineLambeth Youth Gather to Discuss Local Concerns With Activists
StandfirstOperation Black Vote and Humanity Project have come together to create a space for Lambeth youth to share their thoughts on local and national political issues.
“Lambeth Black Youth” is part of a new initiative that organizers hope will encourage youngsters to get involved in politics in an area with one of the lowest electoral turnouts in the capital.
The organisation gathered Lambeth’s youngsters to discuss issues that matter to them the most. Joining them were activists from Operation Black Vote and the Humanity Project.
Lambeth has the fourth-smallest electoral turnout amongst London boroughs, with 31.7% turnout recorded at London’s 2022 local elections. The only boroughs with lower turnouts were Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Brent.
Attending activists became ‘mentors’ for the day and led discussions about different policy areas such as healthcare, education and crime.
The attendees workshopped potential solutions and were invited to discuss what they could do to make them a reality.
The aim of these discussions was to encourage the attendees to think about politics in a way that connects to their day-to-day lives.
Young Lambeth residents discuss local issues with activists.
Preparing Lambeth’s Future Voices
Cllr Shanelle Richards, the head organizer of the event, believes discussions like these give young locals the confidence to become more politically active.
“Just by creating the dialogue and giving the young people a safe space to speak, that is the game changer,” Richards said.
Andrew Morris, a local activist who took on the role of mentor at the event, said it proved “young people have a lot to say about politics”.
However, he stressed more needed to be done to tap into this potential.
“Events like these are essential to building momentum, but it’s important none of this just disappears into the ether”.
Although a wave of youth participation may not be on the horizon, activists remain confident that events like these prove there is a growing appetite for greater participation in the future.
