A county-wide survey of young people has been launched as part of a campaign to make sure their voices are heard when Cumbria gains a mayor next year.
As well as bringing more funding into the county, a mayor for Cumbria will allow decisions about key policy areas to be made locally, rather than by national Government.
This includes the ability to influence key issues which affect young people, including transport, housing, and skills and training provision.
The Youth Ask will survey people aged 14 to 35 from across the county about their experience of growing up and living in Cumbria, and what they would like to see change.
The findings will be presented to mayoral candidates and, when elected, the mayor to help ensure the needs of the county’s future generation are heard and taken into account in future policy decisions.
The survey has been developed between young people from Cumbria Future Generation Steering Group, a service delivered by the Centre for Leadership Performance which supports 16 to 30-year-olds as they transition into employment or higher education, offering tailored support, opportunities, and resources, and Cumbria Youth Alliance, who provide support for youth organisations and young people across the county.
The survey will run until July 24 and is open to anyone aged 14 to 35 who lives in Cumbria.
The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and can be filled out by going to: www.tinyurl.com/cumbriayouthask.
Becky Wolstenholme, CEO of Cumbria Youth Alliance, said: “Championing the breadth of youth voice is an absolute necessity.
“The essential element is listening and hearing their voices, and with help and support to enable young people to shape their futures.”
Lettie Wareing, deputy chair of Cumbria Future Generation Steering Group and youth strategic representative on Cumbria’s Economic Growth Board, added: “This is a real time of change and opportunity for young people in Cumbria.
“As the people who are going to be living and working here for years to come, it is so important that our voices are heard in decisions about the future of the county.
“The Youth Ask is a chance to collect those voices and make sure that the mayor, whoever they will be, knows exactly what our young people need to thrive here for years to come.”
