Powered by youth 2.0
Listening. Connecting. Acting.
Powered by Youth is back.
And we’re not starting from where we left off.
Powered by Youth is back this September for another year – but don’t assume we’re simply picking up where we left off.
SO much has happened in the last year.
When young people shared their experiences, ideas and hopes with the people and systems that can help make change happen, those conversations didn’t just disappear into a report.
They started things moving.
Take youth clubs and home education.
Young people shared audio about what their youth clubs meant to them, not just as somewhere to go, but as places that support their wellbeing, friendships and sense of belonging.
Those voices challenged some assumptions in the room. Councillors heard, in some cases for the first time, that home education isn’t always elective, and what that can mean in a young person’s life. The conversation helped shift attitudes; and support was offered to reopen and extend clubs for another year.
Or take public transport.
Young people talked about the realities of travelling around Torbay, the things that make getting the bus difficult, and what would make their experiences better.
Those experiences didn’t stop at the event. They fed into conversations with the council, bus operators and the people responsible for driver training. A dedicated meeting led to training being adapted to include a specific focus on young people, their different contexts, and the simple things drivers can do to create a more positive experience.
Then there was a simple idea from a young person: how do we actually make sure young people know what’s going on?
That idea connected the energy of a young person with the expertise of partner organisations and the capacity of the Imagine This Partnership. We trialled linking the What’s On information on the Imagine This website with the Ocean Youth Radio app.
In just three months, visits to the What’s On page increased by 743%.
It showed what can happen when we don’t just ask young people what they think but take their ideas seriously and connect them with the people who can help make them happen.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Young people told us they wanted more opportunities to engage with the creative sector and to see more youth art in public spaces.
A conversation with Life on the Edge opened the door to bring an existing young people’s exhibition to Torbay. Tonic Creatives brought creative-sector expertise and mentoring. Brixham Library and The Projection Room helped make it happen, with support from Doorstep Arts and Sound Communities connecting young people to the opportunity.
The result? Young people gained hands-on experience planning and delivering an exhibition across public spaces in Paignton and Brixham.
And when young people told us that youth spaces don’t always have to be buildings, that opened up another conversation.
Some young people want youth clubs. Others simply want somewhere to go, be outside and spend time with their friends.
That helped start conversations with SwisCo, Active Devon, Safer Communities and others about how our parks and green spaces can work better for young people.
The conversation has already helped shift thinking away from assumptions and towards community needs; including young people’s call for genuinely inclusive spaces and for communities to help shape what happens in them.
Doing it differently.
This is not another consultation.
These are just some of the things that have happened since our first Powered by Youth event.
And they all have something in common.
Young people spoke.
People listened.
Organisations connected.
And things started to change.
That’s the heart of Powered by Youth: Listening. Connecting. Acting.
Powered by Youth is part of a bigger movement to change how young people are listened to and how people in power listen.
This isn’t consultation as usual. It’s about creating spaces where young people can say what they want to say, in the way they want to say it, and making sure those voices reach the people and systems that can help make change happen.
And then, crucially, doing something with what we hear.
powered by youth 2.0
We're just getting started.
This September, we’re coming back together to look at what’s happened, celebrate the change that’s already underway, hear what young people are saying now, and think about what needs to happen next.
Because Powered by Youth was never meant to be just one event.
It’s becoming a different way of working.
And we’re only getting started.
📅 Saturday 26 September
📍 People’s Parkfield
Make It Happen
A brilliant team of young people have come together to form the Make It Happen Crew. They are co-designing and planning the event.
We’re also inviting other young people to join these final planning chats who might be keen to help join in and support the day. So if you know someone who you think might want to get involved as part of this planning crew and help on the day, they are warmly welcome to come along to our September planning sessions.
This group is being supported by Doorstep Arts & Moor to Sea Music. If you’d like to get in touch, email erin@doorsteparts.co.uk
Children & Young People Awards
This year Powered By Youth will be hosting the Children & Young People Awards, previously organised by the Imagine This Youth Council.
We plan to celebrate these awards on the Powered By Youth Day. The awards are open for nominations until 5pm on Tuesday 22 September, so make sure to spread the word and get nominating.
Contact us to find out more!
Contact us to find out more about our mission and the impact we’re making for young people across Torbay. Whether you’re curious about our work, have questions, or are looking for ways to get involved and contribute to positive change, we’d love to hear from you.
