Category: News

We started the month by meeting with Bedford Borough Youth Cabinet and Central Bedfordshire Youth Parliament, which was a first time for all of us, coming together to share what we do, discuss future work, and of course, a few games! We also were lucky enough to have a meeting with local MP Sarah Owen, discussing Social Expectations, Gender in Sports and Equality. We moved forward with our campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness, making over 20 gift bags for women in refuge in support of Women’s Aid, and adding to an art exhibition they will be hosting over March. Our Vice Chair Natasha also spoke at the Luton 2040 Conference about what the future of Luton looks like, ensuring youth voice is being heard as we work towards the 2040 vision for Luton!

They were Runners Up at the recent Luton’s Best Awards in the Child of Courage Category! They have also been engaging in Local Consultations as we work towards the 2040 Vision. This included workshops around local transport, where we spoke about issues around safety and cost, as well as traffic around our schools.

We also are Futures House on Tuesdays! This is a drop in session, where young people engage with cooking, awareness sessions around health & well-being, music workshops, and a selection of games!

Have you heard that Tokko Youth Hub has reopened? We support their new Boys2Men sessions on Mondays, where you can get support from targeted youth workers and use of free Gym Equipment!

We also are Futures House on Tuesdays! This is a drop in session, where young people engage with cooking, awareness sessions around health & well-being, music workshops, and a selection of games! The Youth Council have also had a busy start to the year! They were Runners Up at the recent Luton’s Best Awards in the Child of Courage Category! They have also engaged in Local Consultations as we work towards the 2040 Vision. This included workshops around local transport, where we spoke about issues around safety and cost, as well as traffic around our schools.

Here we began with a discussion with MPs from the Liberal Democrats, and Labour about safety on public transport, healthcare, and improvements in education, but also about the current cost of living with taxes and mortgages. This was an enriching opportunity to understand how the people in power are improving our lives and supporting the youth of the country. After the discussion, we were split into groups with people all across the region. Within these groups, we were given different tasks where points were available in the competition between groups. Our first task was to write a letter to a councillor explaining why we believe that the closure of youth clubs would not be beneficial for the youth of a town. Following this, the second task was to plan a discussion with the councillor who was still not convinced that closing youth clubs was a bad idea. To ensure our discussion was fluent and persuasive, we had to plan things like date, time, location, and funding plans as if we were planning a real event. The third task was to organise a rally/protest which we eventually had to perform, advocating against the reduction and closure of youth clubs. It was interesting to see what the other groups had come up with as we had many creative and expressive forms including singing, dancing, and plays. After the rallies were over, our points gained were tallied and the winners were announced. Overall, the day was a fantastic experience where we had the opportunity to network with other youth councils in the region and learn more about how we can support the youth of Luton in voicing our opinions and improving the town for everyone. Written by Shifa, the chair of the Luton Youth Council

On 30th November, 11 youth councillors, with two staff, attended the UK Youth Parliament Regional Conference in London. This involved hearing from politicians from the Liberal Democrat and Labour Parties about their views on transport, health and community. Then, as youth councillors, alongside peers from all over London, south, and east of England, we got involved in our campaigns in a fictional town called Forgeford, where the councillor was cutting funding for young people! We had a lot to say about that! We also attended a consultation at Mary Seacole Housing Association, where we learned about a new project and shared our views—as well as some pizza! We can’t wait to announce this project next year! On 9th December, many youth councillors attended the Schools Council Conference at the University of Bedfordshire, with the Chair, Shifa, and Amish forming part of the panel. The event was all about Luton’s 2040 Vision and how well Luton is doing so far.  We are also continuing to develop ideas around our campaign areas, with campaign leaders meeting with local organisations, ensuring good partnership work with the community. We will see you in the new year with more updates and more work ensuring the voice of young people in Luton is heard!

Here’s what Yousuf had to say about it! Representing Luton at the UK Youth Parliament Annual Conference at the University of Warwick was an unforgettable milestone. As part of Luton’s first-ever cohort to attend, we joined young, ambitious, and like-minded MYPs from across the UK to debate policies, share ideas, and shape a bold manifesto for the 2024–2026 term. The weekend was an inspiring and eye-opening experience, with passionate discussions on some of the most pressing issues young people face today. Topics ranged from lowering the voting age to 16–17 with political education to campaigning for free youth transport—policies that truly reflect the priorities of our generation. Other standout issues included moving away from a Eurocentric education system in favour of a more inclusive approach, ensuring financial literacy for all, addressing the pink tax by providing free menstrual products in public spaces, and tackling climate change as a global crisis. Mental health reform and inclusive RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) were also major highlights. After hours of thoughtful debate, many of these policies are now on a national ballot, giving young people across the UK the chance to decide the top priorities for the years ahead. This democratic process ensures that every voice contributes to shaping our collective future, laying the foundation for lasting change. The conference wasn’t just about policy—it was about connection. We attended two workshops, grouped into different categories such as the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, and the Department for Health. Collaborating with MYPs from all walks of life highlighted how united we are in our passion for change. Hearing about the challenges and triumphs faced by other constituencies was both humbling and inspiring. This experience wasn’t just historic for Luton—it was deeply personal. It marked a moment where our voices, perspectives, and determination as young people came together to pave the way for a brighter, fairer future. It’s safe to say, the future is in good hands!

Luton’s Youth Council members took center stage at the “Leading for Sustainability in BLMK – A Burning Ambition for Change” conference, bringing fresh perspectives to the table on health and climate change. Held as part of the Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board’s efforts to advance a regional green plan, the event highlighted the critical intersection of environmental sustainability and public health. Youth Council representatives engaged in discussions with professionals, sharing their views on pressing climate and health issues. They also participated in a panel discussion, emphasizing the importance of integrating youth voices into decision-making processes to achieve a greener, healthier future for Luton. Keynote speaker Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, inspired attendees by highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in healthcare and beyond. The conference provided a unique platform for the Youth Council to ensure that the perspectives of young people are central to local sustainability strategies. Their participation not only exemplifies Luton’s commitment to intergenerational dialogue but also underscores the vital role of young leaders in shaping a sustainable future. For more details about the conference and its objectives, visit the BLMK Health and Care Partnership website.

Youth Councillors both past and new attended alongside Youth Partnership Service representatives and partner agencies on impactful event to say farewell to Luton’s time with the Knife Angel. The statue, fashioned from thousands of confiscated knives, was a towering presence in St George’s Square throughout August. Throughout the month numerous events linked to the Knife Angel’s visit ensured the voices of knife crime victims and their families were heard, while Bedfordshire Police staged Operation Sceptre, encouraging people to leave unwanted knives in amnesty bins, engaged with retailers and carried out weapon sweeps. The closing ceremony for the Knife Angel started with a service in St Mary’s Church. Ribbons were then placed on the Tree of Hope outside the church and a candlelit procession then walked along the high street to St George’s Square. Speakers form the council, local organisations, families of knife crime victims and local poets talked about the impact of the Knife Angel, not just in Luton but around the country. The event ended with some words of remembrance from Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Mike Jones. The Knife Angel has now moved on to Havering, continuing the spread the message about the consequences of knife crime in all its forms.