Young people from across Northamptonshire are helping to shape decisions around serious violence prevention, following the launch of the Safer Northants Youth Panel.
Established by the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership (NSVPP) the new panel brings together young people from established youth groups across the county. Members will meet regularly to influence policies and activity aimed at improving outcomes for young people.
Members of the Safer Northants Youth Panel have worked with the NSVPP informing the allocation of £454,711 through the Serious Violence Duty Grants programme.
They developed three assessment questions, ensuring applicants responded to issues important to young people, before independently scoring responses over two days.
Trained by officers involved in the assessment process, members gained first-hand experience of how grant applications are reviewed and funding decisions are made.
The experience provided them with valuable insight into how funding decisions are made and the opportunity to engage in a process that will impact support for young people across Northamptonshire.
Following the assessment process, members had the opportunity to discuss their views with senior stakeholders, ensuring young people’s perspectives were reflected in funding decisions.
Osman Rusanga, 17, a Youth Councillor for West Northamptonshire Council (pictured above) said: “The Youth Panel is a really important way for young people to feel represented.
“It is great to work with prominent figures across policing that care about young people. Without their support we couldn’t have got this far with our work.”
Kendra Okelola, 15, who represents North Northamptonshire Council as a Member of Youth Parliament (pictured above) said: “I believe young people deserve to be heard in rooms where decisions are made that affect them.
“Young people can be vulnerable and susceptible to be involved in criminality, so it is really important that our voices are listened to.”
The Safer Northants Youth Panel will ensure young people’s voices and lived experiences are reflected in local decision-making, with members engaging directly with senior leaders and professionals to help inform future priorities and approaches to serious violence prevention.
As well as helping represent the views of young people across the county, the panel provides opportunities for members to build confidence, engage with decisionmakers and contribute to conversations about issues that matter to them and their communities.
Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (pictured above) said: “The Safer Northants Youth Panel is ensuring that young people’s voices are not only heard but reflected in the decisions we make.
“Their involvement in the grant assessment process brought valuable perspective, helping us ensure funding is directed towards projects which response to the issues most important to young people.”
Prevention and Intervention Superintendent Paul Cash (pictured above) said: “The new Youth Panel is a great way for young people to give their views, and I thank the members for the time and effort they have given in sharing their opinions as part of the grant allocation process.
“I’m sure the panel’s input will continue to be invaluable, especially when we discuss the support available for young people and their families in the county.”
