The young people taking part (and the local organisations working with them) will be available for interview before, during and after the event. They include:
Sibon, 21 from St Pauls in Bristol. Sibon says: “I come from a community where a lot of kids are on the street. I am determined to better myself but it is really hard. I simply can’t afford to study what I need to pursue the career that I want. I have been helped out by a local organisation called Full Circle but the kind of work I would like to do is hard. There are jobs out there but they are dead end ones. There is no career progression which is why so many young people stay unemployed.”
Mohammed, 17 from Hodge Hill in Birmingham. Mohammed says: “I left school at 16 and I have found it really hard to find a job. I would like to go on to further education but because I left with no GCSEs I cannot get a place at college. I have taken part in training programmes but they have not really helped me in any way. I feel there is lack of facilities and support services for people like me and politicians really need to start listening to young people and not just telling us what they think is good for us.”
Diane, 21 from Pontefract in West Yorkshire. Diane says: “I am currently looking for a job and would like to study at college but it’s really hard to find a course. Because I am over 19 they cost loads of money and I was forced to drop out because the funding I needed was delayed by two months. Politicians need to start listening or there will be more people facing the same obstacles as me.”
