East Sussex Youth Cabinet
The Youth Cabinet members are young people aged 11 to 18 years old. They are elected to represent the views of young people in East Sussex.
The Youth Cabinet run co-produced campaigns. These are on the top issues highlighted in the annual #makeyourmark ballot. The Youth Cabinet lead collaboration with other youth voice groups and host events. They work with local leaders to bring about change and improve services.
The Youth Cabinet offer a monthly consultation slot for professionals and decision-makers. They talk to them about their work and gain feedback from young people. To book in a slot, please email the Participation Team.
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#EastSusssexYouthVoice Groups
The Youth Cabinet Works Closely with:
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How Youth Cabinet works:
Members of the Youth Cabinet gather the views of young people through:
- surveys
- workshops
- events
- creative consultation
They communicate these views to decision-makers and work with leaders to create change. They do this to improve young people’s lives and the communities around them.
Members work in partnership with our Children and Young People’s Trust Partners:
- NHS organisations and the Integrated Care System
- Police
- East Sussex Fire and Rescue
- Schools and settings
- District and Borough Councils
- Government departments
- East Sussex County Council services – libraries, transport, school improvement and early help
- Businesses - nurseries, museums, galleries
- Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations
To find out more about the work of the Youth Cabinet, you can read our 2022-2023 Annual Report here: Championing Youth Voice 2022-2023 Youth Cabinet report
Projects and campaigns:
Recently, the Youth Cabinet have worked on projects and campaigns that include:
- tackling domestic violence
- environment, climate change and sustainability
- jobs, money, homes and opportunities
- mental health and emotional wellbeing
- knife crime prevention
- addressing race equality
- improving transport
As a result of the campaigns, we:
- developed surveys and events which highlight young people's views and lived experiences
- informed the refresh of the Children and Young People's Plan
- informed the Sussex Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing strategy
- informed the Children’s Services climate change strategy
- helped to develop the Schools Race Equality Guidance
- launched Top Ten Tips on Mental Health for parents and teachers
- helped to develop and launch the 3-iD Card
Working together as East Sussex:
The Youth Cabinet works with partners in the voluntary, community and public sector. It brings young people together to collaborate with leaders on key issues.
The Children's Services Department produce a Youth Voice newsletter twice per year to highlight the work of these groups.
You can read:
Autumn and Winter Newsletter 2023:
Spring and Summer Newsletter 2023:
Support for Children and Young People's Voice:
The Equality, Participation and Strategic Partnerships team support the Youth Cabinet.
Participation colleagues within this team at East Sussex County Council are:
- Atiya Gourlay: Lead - Equality, Participation and Strategic Partnerships
- Nic Bryson: Children and Young People's Participation Officer (Maternity Leave)
- Tash Cummings: Children and Young People Participation Officer
- Ed Peasgood: Participation Worker
- Miranda Whelehan: Participation Worker - Climate Strategy
- Aisling Page: Senior Business Administrator
- Freya Arbenz: Business Administrator Apprentice
Email the: Participation Team
Youth Cabinet elections and members:
There is one student place in the Youth Cabinet for every school and college in East Sussex. This includes all mainstream, Academy, SEND, and Independent Schools. To become a Youth Cabinet member, your peers in school and college must elect you.
If you would like to get involved and you are in another type of setting:
- email the Participation Team.
The Youth Cabinet term-of-office runs from March every two years. The next election period is open from the end of January 2024.
Current Youth Cabinet members are:
For Eastbourne:
- Jonah Messer
- Millie Barrett
- William Witney
For Hastings and Bexhill:
- Isabel Reeves
- Evie Woods
- Adam Buckley
- Victoria Cybulka
- Lily Williams
For Lewes and Coastal:
- Ellen Jones
- Luc Munier
- Monty Kneath
For Wealden:
- Benjamin Pearce
- Chloe Haizeldon
- Jack Blanch-Bebb
- Owain Roberts
For Seaford:
- Leah Herring
- Sevyn Vitelli (Deputy)
Email the Youth Cabinet if you would like to get in touch with a youth cabinet member.
UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections and members:
East Sussex elects three members of the UKYP each year. This takes place through an internal vote within the Youth Cabinet.
Current members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYPs) are:
Eastbourne and Coastal:
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William Witney
Bexhill, Hastings and Upper Rother:
-
Lily Williams
Lewes and Wealden:
-
Ben Pearce
Email the Participation Team if you wish to contact one of the UKYP members.
Current campaigns:
Protecting the Environment
In 2019, Tackling Climate Change won by the biggest margin of any UKYP ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot ever! The Youth Cabinet decided to continue the work already started. They created a toolkit that students can use with their schools. This will challenge and tackle energy usage to:
- save money
- stop waste
- reduce carbon emissions
This year, they will:
- promote the energy toolkit
- share best practice on climate action
- host a climate change summit with schools in December 2023
- lobby local MPs to commit to climate targets
- support East Sussex local authorities around their environment programmes
Jobs, Money, Homes, Opportunities
In 2022, ‘Jobs, Money, Homes, Opportunities’ was voted as the top priority for young people in East Sussex! Youth Cabinet are working to improve opportunities and employability for young people including:
- hosting an event with professionals to discuss equality at work, apprenticeships, and cost-of-living. It also includes employability for young people with SEND and improving the quality of careers education in schools
- creating video materials with professionals and other young people. This is to promote careers opportunities and share recommendations for teachers and employers
- supporting the commissioning processes for the Holiday Food and Fun 2023 Grants.
- supporting the procurement of the Youth Employability Service
Minutes:
If you would like a copy of the minutes of youth cabinet meetings:
- email the Participation Team
Social Media Accounts:
Twitter/ X - @EastSussexYC
Instagram - @east_sussex_youth_cabinet
Facebook - @East Sussex Youth Cabinet
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