Blog

This week I attended the launch of an exciting new youth campaign by the Co-operative, which runs a range of businesses and sponsors work in schools and other places. Their ‘Inspiring young people' initiative aims to help bring about a cultural shift in the way that young people are viewed and treated.

As part of this work, the Co-op is supporting the UK Youth Parliament and British Youth Council to lower the voting age to 16. For over a century the Co-op has operated a democratic structure which is fully open to people aged 16 and above. They have also launched a new grants programme to support organisations around the UK that enable young people to challenge and change negative perceptions. It's called ‘Truth About Youth' and I commend it to you. And the Chief Executive said he wanted his entire organisation to be part of our Takeover Day event! 

The second highlight of the week was a day in Cornwall, meeting those working with children and young people, then visiting St Breock Primary and Doubletrees special schools. The day finished with representatives from the county's youth forum, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services user groups, young women's programmes and Sex and Relationships Education development team.

Cornwall is facing big challenges in its safeguarding work, but wants to solve them head on. What I saw of the work going on with children and young people elsewhere tells me they will succeed!

By Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England