‘We need safe places to go’: Northamptonshire teens speak out
Young voices take centre stage as local event highlights key concerns
Young people from North Northamptonshire gathered yesterday at the National Youth Strategy event to discuss the issues that matter to them and explore how the strategy could support positive change locally and nationally.
Around 60 young people from across the county took part in the session, organised by Young Northamptonshire and facilitated by local young people involved in the #iWill Movement.
Held at the University of Northampton, it was the first gathering of its kind in North Northamptonshire, bringing young people, youth groups and national representatives together to discuss what changes are needed to improve life for young people locally and nationally.
Ivanna Obi, Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for North Northamptonshire, said the day gave young people a rare chance to speak directly to decision‑makers. She said:
“ It was really good, young people came together to raise issues and create solutions, which I think is wonderful,” she said.
Ivanna said young people stressed one of the biggest challenges they face is with local transport links which affects everything from socialising to education and work.
“For most young people it’s the barriers in transport,” Ivana explained. “It means they don’t have access to the places they want to go to develop themselves.”
“Young people just want to feel included in society''
But she warned that a lack of safe places, such as youth clubs, is leaving many exposed to knife crime, gang activity and substance use at a much younger age.
Livi, a #iwill Ambassador helping to facilitate the event, said the lack of youth facilities in the area is leaving teenagers feeling vulnerable.
She said: “Since there aren’t many spaces for young people to be young, they’re being exposed to crime, gangs and substances at a very early age – which obviously isn’t good at all.”
Ivanna shared how crime and drug exposure became normal in her early teens because there was nowhere else to go.
“Around 11 or 12, my local park had drug dealers just standing around,” she said.
“I was exposed to substances at a very young age. If we had proper youth spaces, we wouldn’t be exposed to this. We’d be developing career skills and just growing as people.”
Calls for youth centres and repurposed buildings
According to Ivanna and Livi, many attendees said empty buildings across Northamptonshire should be turned into youth centres, sports spaces or clubs – including specialist spaces like astronomy, arts or gaming. Livi explained:
“There are so many buildings that could be repurposed, but we need funding,”
“Young people want spaces where they can be themselves, explore and develop skills.” She added.
Liv said proper funding for youth centres would create much‑needed safe spaces for young people: “It would give us a place to develop skills, gain knowledge and just hang out outside of school.''
Catherine, from Young Northampton, said the session was designed to give young people a real say in the national agenda. She explained: ''I think if you're trying to support young people, you have to listen to what they're going to say and then you have to act on it.
“Councils are traditionally slow at getting change, and that’s frustrating for young people.
''Sometimes what they’re asking for isn’t very much and is quite easy to sort out – a little bit of money will make a difference, but funding is always the critical factor.” she added.
National impact
Organisers confirmed that feedback from the event will be taken directly to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), meaning the voices of Northamptonshire’s young people will help shape the developing National Youth Strategy.
“The feedback will go to national government,” Catherine said. “It will influence at a national level as well.”
For many of the young people involved, that alone is a significant win.
“If we don’t have places to go, it becomes isolating, and that’s why we see a rise in behavioural problems and mental health issues.” Ivanna added.
“Young people definitely want these spaces – we just want to finally be heard.”