News - VSNW | Voluntary Sector North West

Contact Us

Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre

Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk

Minister praises Voice of the North report

20 September 2011

The Voice of the North Project brings together key partners working for and with young people in the North of England. The majority of the young people are from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

From this and discussions last month with young people, One North West and JUST West Yorkshire developed a Voice of the North report.

At a time when young people are being ascribed negative and damaging labels following the youth disturbances that were spreading across the country, it is imperative that we take stock of what young people are telling us and respond to meet their needs. The Voice of the North young people said that:

► They experience discrimination as a result of their ethnicity and age
► There is a lack of choice available for young people
► Aspirations are being constrained leading to hopelessness
► The voice of young BME people in the North is not being listened to by Government

One North West has received a letter from Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, saying that 'it is helpful to understand the issues that people are facing in the North of England'. It then continues to say that there is room for improvement and that Government are 'always keen to hear from specialists in the field. This is why the efforts of organisations such as yours are so important in confronting the challenges we face'

One North West and partners will continue to work to ensure that the voice of Northern young people is heard in Government.