Two members of Warwickshire’s Youth Council are now helping decide how funding is used to support children and young people, after being appointed as Associate Trustees of the Norton Foundation.
Current Youth Council member Alexis and former member Amber have taken on the new roles through a partnership between the Norton Foundation and Warwickshire County Council’s Voice, Change and Influence Team.
The partnership came about after trustees from the Norton Foundation attended the Warwickshire Youth Conference and saw first-hand the confidence, professionalism and leadership shown by Youth Council members. Impressed by what they saw, the trustees wanted to involve young people directly in their work, ensuring the voices of those they support are part of the Foundation’s decision-making process.
The Norton Foundation provides grants to support children and young people under the age of 25 across Warwickshire, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.
Since joining the Foundation, Alexis and Amber have already helped trustees gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of young people today. By sharing insight into what support is currently available – and where the gaps remain – they are helping the Foundation make better-informed decisions about which projects to support.
Alexis, Warwickshire Youth Council member and Associate Trustee, said:
“It’s been a great opportunity to share my experiences and help make decisions that could benefit other young people. It’s good to know our views are listened to and that we can make a positive difference.”
The initiative aligns closely with Child Friendly Warwickshire’s ambitions, giving young people a genuine opportunity to be heard and to influence decisions that affect their lives. It also underlines the positive impact of Warwickshire’s Youth Council and the wider work of the Voice, Change and Influence Team, which creates opportunities for children and young people across the county to share their views and make a difference in their communities.
Warwickshire County Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, Education and SEND, said:
“We want children and young people to have a real say in decisions that affect their lives. This partnership shows the difference it makes when organisations listen to young people and value their experiences. I’m proud of Alexis and Amber for taking on this role and of our Children and Families teams for helping create opportunities like this.”
Mike Bailey, Trustee and Vice Chair of the Norton Foundation, added:
“We wanted to involve young people in our work because they understand the challenges their generation faces better than anyone. Alexis and Amber have already made a real contribution to our discussions and helped us make better-informed decisions. We’d like to thank Warwickshire County Council’s Voice, Change and Influence Team for helping make this partnership possible.”
The Voice, Change and Influence Team works with children and young people across region to make sure their voices are heard and acted on.
Through the Warwickshire Youth Council and other participation opportunities, the team supports young people to influence decisions, develop new skills and create positive change across the county.
