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Aylesbury Young People

Aylesbury young people

The Future Leaders are motivated young people, who are involved in the regeneration process, influencing the design and development of the new area to engage with other young people and represent their views.  

The regeneration team has been implementing its youth engagement strategy since 2007. The key elements of the strategy are;  

  • To create a forum which facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and concerns.
  • To create community leaders of the future who can drive the regeneration programme forward.

The Future Leaders are a group of young people from the Aylesbury Estate. It has been formed by Southwark Council in partnership with the Aylesbury NDC. Young people were recruited from a variety of presentations in secondary schools and youth clubs that informed young people and gave them the opportunity not just find out what is happening in their community but also to get involved and make a difference.

The future leaders are a self-led group of young people, this gives them real ownership which is encouraging for young people because by being in control they realise that they are not just along for the “ride”.

Young people also have the opportunity to develop themselves through training in areas such as team work, public speaking, and leadership. This aims to help improve confidence and the ability for them to express themselves. More importantly they can use these skills throughout life.

In addition to helping themselves, they get to help their community, through the projects they devise. The projects which they undertake allow improved community cohesion, and help to improve the residents’ quality of life.

Future Leaders offer young people the chance to meet new people and try new things that may not otherwise be available to them, which can help them to realise their own potential and raise their aspirations.

Young people have several avenues for feedback.  One example of this is the social networking site (Facebook), text messaging, and discussions (hence team members can develop chairing and minute taking skills).

Future Leaders is currently funded by Southwark Council by providing a dedicated youth engagement and consultation officer and the Aylesbury New Deal for Communities support the initiative by contributing staff time on the project.