Agenda and minutes

Attended: Cllr King, Aimee (NBC Officer), Morcea Walker (adult co-chair), Tabi (WPS), Ayo (NIA), Zach (NSAC, Secretary), Lissy (NA), Mary (KC), Wiktoria (Cadets)

Apologies: Charlie (CC), Alfie (Cadets), Josh (KC, vice chair), Amiee-Leigh (NSAC)

Missing in Action: Freya (NIA), Jay (CC, Chair), Louis (KC), Tasnim (NA), Thomas (WPS), Elisa (BC), Harpreet (SCYCC).

Cadets were planning a 24 hour football fundraiser – Wiktoria to find out more.

Youth Commission have an event The Big Conversation’ on 10 March to present findings from their 2019 survey around gangs, youth violence and young drivers.

Aimee to add ‘Secretary update’ for Zach to give in future.

Lissy suggested the forum could look into campaigns with the UK Youth Parliament.

There is currently no youth member of Parliament for Northamptonshire – Aimee has contacted for information on how a young person can stand. Aimee to send out information for anyone interested in finding out more.

The UK Youth Parliament have chosen knife crime and climate change as the two campaigns of 2020 based on a youth vote. Campaign toolkits shared with forum to be considered for future forum work.  

Anti-Violence Champions

Kris Sowynski – graffiti art mural

The Knife Angel will be coming to Northampton in June with a commitment of 28 days of activity around anti-violence for the county. Northampton Borough Council are coordinating the first full week, plus some other dates and there will be opportunity for schools, youth & community groups to get involved.

Youth Forum members to speak to schools/leadership teams about coming to visit the angel and getting involved.

There will be an opportunity to become an ‘Anti-violence champion/ ambassador as part of the Knife Angel visit. Aimee to get more information.

The forum have been given a piece of boarding to use for a graffiti project (located behind Vue, on Chalk Lane). Artist Kris Sowinski brought some sketches and ideas for designing the piece.

Ideas that forum wanted captured included: Young person guarded by angel, words on knives or in background to demonstrate other forms of violence, to include faces of victims of violent crime in Northampton.

Aimee to seek family permissions for victim inclusion – added to a letter being sent out to victim’s family’s about the knife angel visit.

Group chose what they want included and Kris started to sketch out a piece.

Kris to share developed idea with Aimee for youth feedback.

Hollie and digital services

Holly from Communications and Kevin from Digital services came to the forum to talk about creating a youth app.

Group made decisions on the look of the app – clean and simple like Instagram.

Feature colours – pastel teal on white (light mode) and black (dark mode).

Soft edges and straight lines.

Prioritised features:

·         Google map with overlay – for youth specific spaces and activities. Aimee to take to youth provider meeting for detail.

·         ‘Near me’ news feed

·         Option to interact with activities/events – say you’re going/comment on

·         Transport info button – with up to date bus timetables etc.

Holly to work with graphics officer to put together some examples for forum to give feedback on in March.

Anneka Shally

Anneka spoke about the OSCE project she worked on in Vienna and would like to do something similar with young people in Northampton on a local level.

Group discussed ideas for improving the town and picked out 5 key themes:

·         Better public transport

·         Environment

·         Colour Northampton

·         Health & Wellbeing

·         Tackling Homelessness 

Anneka will come back to the forum to support them to choose key recommendations and help them to draft a report to submit to the council.

View Anneka’s presentation and links to the project here.

Ideas for Youth Day

Aimee and the team visited Army Barracks in Nottingham who provide youth development activities. There may be an opportunity to get spaces for youth forum members for their upcoming trip to Belgium.

Aimee to request more information from Lt. Col. Spiers and look at availability for Youth Day.

Discussed the Inspirational Women’s Award and Male Role Model awards in Northampton. Group would like to have a Youth award as part of youth day this year. Pick up at a future meeting in more detail.

Ignite social change – Guildhall tours

Ignite social change youth group have been in touch and would like a tour of the Guildhall. Forum members are happy to provide a tour, preferably on a Monday or Wednesday after school. Aimee to contact youth group leader for dates.

CPS are offering work experience places to young people over 5 days:

In Leicester: 29 June to 3^rd July

In Nottingham: 6^th July to 10^th July

For more information see the CPS booklet sent out by email.

Carnival – Saturday 13 June, 12pm

Opportunity to get involved in the Carnival this year. We will be having a forums float, and stand. Zach gave an overview of the carnival meeting.

The float will leave at 2pm and return approx. 4pm.

Looking to promote messages of anti-violence and the knife angel.

Monday 23 March, 4pm – 6pm

Upcoming Dates:

International Women’s Day event, Saturday 7 March, Guildhall, 11am to 3pm.

Next Meeting:

Monday 23 March, 4-6pm