Young people say they need safe places to go as Suffolk event gives teenagers a voice
Suffolk County Council and businesses all came together to hear their thoughts.
Young people in Suffolk say they need more safe places to spend time with friends and want adults to listen more closely to the issues affecting their lives.
Their comments came during a youth "hackathon" in Ipswich, where teenagers worked together to develop projects tackling issues facing young people, with successful ideas eligible for funding to become reality.
Among the priorities raised by participants was a shortage of safe places for teenagers to meet outside school.
"There's nowhere for us to go"
Ella Mitson said one of the group's main ideas was creating more spaces where young people could spend time safely.
"There's nowhere for us to go. We get judged for hanging around in parks or outside shops, but we don't really have anywhere else."
Emma Theobald agreed, saying many teenagers simply wanted somewhere they could socialise without being viewed negatively.
"People think we're causing trouble when really we're just trying to hang out with our friends. There aren't many places designed for older teenagers."
Ella also said the lack of places to meet meant many young people spent more time online instead.
"If there's nowhere to go, you end up staying at home on social media because that's all there really is to do."
The event formed part of a programme encouraging young people to identify issues in their communities and develop practical solutions that could receive funding.
"Turn those ideas into real change"
Tabbie Bonfield, an iWill Ambassador who helps promote youth participation in decision-making, said giving young people genuine opportunities to influence change was essential.
"Sometimes young people don't feel like they're being heard and listened to, and there can be a disconnect between adults and young people.
"It's really important that they have opportunities to share their opinions, and that adults listen, take note and turn those ideas into real change."
She said seeing projects developed by young people become reality helped demonstrate that their views mattered.
"We want to show that your opinion does matter and that change will come from it. If young people can see they've helped create that change, it encourages them to stay involved."
Tabbie also said young people should be involved more often in decisions that affect their futures.
"Decisions that are made today affect us, so making sure young people are part of those decision-making processes is invaluable."
The event was organised with support from Suffolk County Council as part of a wider programme designed to encourage young people to shape projects within their local communities.
Successful ideas developed during the session could now receive funding to help bring them to life.