Southern Housing Group’s youngest residents ensured their voice was heard during a recent innovative and dynamic youth conference.
More than 80 young Southern Housing Group residents, aged 5-25, gathered at Glaziers Hall, near London Bridge last week (Thursday 27 October) to provide a “young person’s” perspective on housing.
The planning and coordination of the event was entrusted to a select group of young residents who were overseen and assisted by community interest company KSinProgress.
The main activity of the day saw the young people split into four groups, with individual teams creating a fictional housing name, vision and charter.
Each team was allocated a housing related theme – Anti Social Behaviour (ASB), Physical Environment, Community Involvement and Personal Development – and required to identify and discuss key issues and concerns around their topic.
The individual teams then presented recommendations in line with their theme to the other groups and a panel of Southern Housing Group staff, including Chief Executive Tom Dacey.
Following an overall debate on the recommendations, each group outlined future support, consultation and projects they would like Southern Housing Group to consider.
Social and Economic Regeneration Director, Anabel Palmer, said the exercise provided valuable feedback for the Group.
“Having our young residents identify concerns in the various housing fields we work in, and then present recommendations for the way forward, provides a clear message and direction for the Group when shaping future policy and programmes.”
Project Manager for Youth Development, Sonia Watson, said there had been innovative interaction between the young residents and Group staff.
“The messages presented by our young residents will help shape our future work across the Group. Staff had the opportunity to listen to the young people and understand and appreciate their viewpoint on issues that are typically dealt with at a management level.”
KSinProgress Director and Co-Founder, Keji Okeowo, said the event gave young people an opportunity to express their views.
“We were privileged to work alongside a group of dedicated young Southern Housing Group residents who contributed their own experiences and advice to ensure it was an engaging, fun and insightful event. The commitment shown by the young residents, both in the planning process and on the day, was impressive. They are now working on developing recommendations for the way forward which they plan to present to the Group’s senior management team.”
Young people also had the opportunity to learn more about the Group’s work with staff holding advice surgeries during the lunch break.
Entertainment was well received by the audience with two performances by Creative Kidz and a duet by Group residents John Obeng and Isaac Danquah.
The afternoon concluded at 5pm with a raffle and team prizes.
Southern Housing Group resident Michael Gyau, 22, said the day had allowed young people to express their views and make their voices heard.
“The activities made it easy for the young people to understand what was being said.”
Another resident, Sophie Kelly,18, felt the event had gone well.
“Both the young people that attended and those that helped out, took away new knowledge and experiences that will be sure to help them in the future.”