We began in May with a handful of young people attending our very first session. The focus was on getting to know one another, setting expectations, and exploring what we might like to achieve together as a group. It was fantastic to see the young people feel comfortable straight away, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere from the very beginning.

As the weeks progressed, we introduced our Youth Voice discussions, encouraging the group to think about the question: “What does a community need?” The young people shared ideas, dreamed big, and began exploring the positive impact they could have within their local community and school.

After consulting with the group, they decided that a community litter pick would be a great place to start. In our third session, the young people enthusiastically took to the streets around the local school and church, collecting a surprising amount of rubbish and discussing the importance of caring for their community.