Members of the Croydon youth forums. Pic: Croydon Council

Young people are being encouraged to speak out about their communities under a council initiative to get their voices heard.

The Croydon Youth Forums, open to all residents of Croydon between the ages of 11 and 18, cover various social and local issues, and allow young people to be active members of their community.  

The forums will be divided into local areas – south, east, and north – and will have meetings monthly starting from May. 

The meetings will give young people an opportunity to meet with senior council officers and decision-makers. 

Young people can also benefit from training; learning about local policies and schemes and the impact they have on the wider borough, and their own lives. 

The next meeting will happen on June 4, from 5-7pm for the south area; June 11, at the same times, for the east area; and June 18 for the north. 

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said that Croydon is “privileged to have the largest youth population in London”, and that he “would urge any young person who wants to make their voice heard, who cares about local issues and who wants to help build their local community” to get involved in the forums and many other Youth Council projects. 

All are welcome to attend – to register or to simply find out more, e-mail porsha.robinson@croydon.gov.uk. 

Croydon also has a Youth Cabinet, which is open to new young people between the ages of 11 and 19 if they live and/or study in Croydon. It consists of the Croydon Young Mayor and elected representatives from across the area forums. To join, contact Helen Clark on youthcouncil@croydon.gov.uk.