YOUNG people from across Pembrokeshire came together for the county’s first Poverty Summit for young people. Those attending came from local secondary schools, training providers and Haverfordwest’s Pembrokeshire College, where the summit was held.

There have been successful summits held in previous years with adult decision makers, but this year it was a chance of young people to share their experiences and ideas about what poverty really means and how it affects different parts of everyday life.

Key to the ‘Thrive. Ffynnu. Youth Poverty Summit’ was working together on what can be done to make things better for everyone.

Throughout the day, young people took part in a range of interactive workshops, activities and discussions, giving them the opportunity to learn more about poverty and how it can affect people’s lives.

They were also encouraged to share their own views and ideas about what could make a difference and help improve the lives of children and young people across Pembrokeshire.

Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes opened the event and the young people heard from senior Public Health Officer Liz Western, Joy Davies from Citizens Advice, and Sophie Buckley, PAVS’ Strengthening Communities’ Programme Manager as well as young people themselves.

Line-up of six young people at the Thrive Youth Poverty Summit
Young people took part in a range of interactive workshops, activities and discussions. (PCC Youth Service)

Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, rounded off the day and thanked everyone for their participation.

He added: “It was great to spend time with the young people and hear their thoughts and ideas.

“They had lots to say about what matters to them and what they think could make a difference. It’s important that we give young people opportunities like this to have their say and that we listen to what they tell us.”

In his address, Cllr Tierney encouraged Pembrokeshire’s young people to be ambitious for their futures, by studying hard and taking all of the opportunities available through their school and the Pembrokeshire Youth Service.

He committed to placing his efforts within Pembrokeshire’s Cabinet to unlocking the ambitions of our young people for a better, brighter future.

The Thrive. Ffynnu. Youth Poverty Summit was organised by the Children and Young People’s Rights Office (CYPRO), Public Health Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council.

CYPRO Officer Nadine Farmer said it was a great opportunity for young people to have their say about poverty and how it affects young people across Pembrokeshire:

“What was really positive was that they didn’t just talk about the challenges. They came with ideas, suggestions and thoughts about what could make things better.

“The most important thing now is that we listen to what they have told us and use it to help shape what happens next. If we want to make a difference, young people need to be part of those conversations and have a say in the decisions that affect them.

“Thank you to all of the young people who got involved, shared their thoughts, asked questions and made their voices heard. Your views and experiences are incredibly important and will help shape the conversations and work that follow.”