Reflections from a youth judge for the FEA’s place-based Collaboration Partnerships
Aisha announces the FEA’s new Collaboration Partnerships at the Fair Education Summit
At the Fair Education Summit on 8 December, we revealed the three Mayoral Combined Authorities that have been selected for Collaboration Partnerships as part of our Neighbourhood to National strategy. These multi-year collaborations – worth over £500,000 each in funding and support – bring together FEA members with businesses, charities, young people and schools to test and scale ambitious, place-based projects that improve outcomes for children and young people in the region.
Youth Steering Group member Aisha was on the judging panel. Here she shares her reflections on the three winning Combined Authorities: Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands.
Day 1
Arriving in a bustling Birmingham, the other judges and I settled down in our hotel and headed straight to business by meeting for a briefing. From deciding on questions to planning the interview schedule, we dived into the deep-rooted needs of the West Midlands.
Visiting Birmingham in its best season led our walk through the enticing Christmas markets with an unmatchable vibe. It was the crème de la crème to be able to conclude this walk in an Italian restaurant, where the team bonded over their personal and professional passions. By the end, we were all full to the brim with anticipation and motivation for the next day.
Day 2
Met with the crispness of the morning, we arrived at the West Midlands Combined Authority. Meeting the leaders from the first Combined Authority initially filled me with nerves but ended with a confident curiosity for young people’s futures within the region. The realisation that a young person's perspective, fed by lived experience, was able to flourish at a decision-making table was an unmatched feeling.
I pictured how I could maximise the impact of my presence, and from critically analysing their youth strategy to following up on sectors which concern young people, I fulfilled my aims successfully. From their Youth Summits to robust plans for NEET young people, their potential for improving young people's lives occupied our minds!
Pumped with both adrenaline and optimism, our team made our way to a co-working space to hear the plans of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority. Having a range of LCR leaders attend the meeting was fantastic. Public health and innovation directors were also able to join to solidify their position in conversations concerning young people, which I thought showed great collaboration.
“Who knows what impact you could make or the opportunities that could arise from a single conversation!”
I became familiarised with terms such as system change, which aims to streamline the connection between Combined Authorities and local people. I recognised that the best way to create a shared understanding was to actively listen and build a rapport with the leaders. This has stuck with me, morphing my socially anxious nature into a willingness to build valuable connections with others. Who knows what impact you could make or the opportunities that could arise from a single conversation! I owe this to the LCRCA, whose long-term and innovative approach to young people’s lives shed light on a system which genuinely cares.
Two back-to-back interviews led to the team powering up on caffeine and a quick jigsaw puzzle which was too fascinating to solve. We conquered the stone arches of Sheffield station and ended the productive day with a hearty Turkish meal that left us in a relaxed yet determined bubble.
Day 3
Weaving between the streets of Sheffield whilst a taxi-driver gave his perspective of the city, the issues within this area seemed to come alive. To be met by the mayor on arrival shaped a trustworthy relationship from the get-go. His presence not only showed his commitment to young people, but the willingness to collaborate for boundless improvement to their lives. He was joined by various areas of expertise in the room, demonstrating their joined-up approach in tackling systemic problems. We as young people face difficulties in many aspects of our lives, and we simply need someone with power to recognise how it all overlaps – and the South Yorkshire leaders did just that.
In a room full of adults, I felt free to challenge and suggest youth engagement strategies, even if I was alone in my opinion. If we normalised young people in mature spaces, decisions would be increasingly reflective of the needs of young people. Co-designing with young people and policymakers creates a culture of acceptance, prompting young people to express their hurdles. To everyone's satisfaction, co-design was a common theme in all Combined Authorities, laying the foundation for impactful action.
“Being able to amplify young people’s experiences to those in charge has shown that our voice is invaluable if we are given the platform to project it.”
The continuous efforts of policymakers to involve youth perspectives is central to transforming their futures. Being able to amplify young people’s experiences to those in charge has shown that our voice is invaluable if we are given the platform to project it. I am overjoyed by the respect and consideration I was given as a youth judge. If there is one skill I can say I have gained, it is the realisation that young people’s futures can only thrive if they have a say in it.
Read more about the Collaboration Partnerships and the FEA’s other place-based collaboration work.
