Lancashire Hope Hack
On Friday 22nd September, Lancashire hosted its first ever ‘Hope Hack’. Hosted by the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, the day bought together young people from across the county with the goal in mind to create a safer and fairer society.
The views and findings from the young people will contribute to the national ‘Reimagined’ report which will be shown to political parties ahead of the next general election. This is done in collaboration with The Hope Collective and The Damilola Taylor Trust.
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Young people from across Lancashire were invited to have their voices amplified in an event focussed on reducing inequalities and making the county a safer and fairer place for all.
Topics discussed in youth-led workshops throughout the day included key societal issues like mental health, police relations, education, cost of living crisis and community safety.
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Over 85 young people from a range of backgrounds attended the event from schools, colleges, pupil referral units, and youth work organisations.
Thoughts and ideas were shared with a panel of leaders including the High Sheriff of Lancashire, David Taylor CBE, Reporter and Presenter, Ashley John-Baptiste, Divisional Commander, Stasia Osiowy, CEO of Lancashire County Council, Angie Ridgewell and Senior Policy Advisor from Office for Local Government, Katherine O’Connor MBE.
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If you would like to read more about the Lancashire Hope Hack, read our Report.
Susannah Clarke, Lancashire VRN Director, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of the current generation of young people in Lancashire, the passion and ambition we saw on that day truly was inspiring. It is so important that young people get the chance to have their voices heard, and more importantly, are being listened to by decision-makers in all sectors across the county.
The Hope Hack was a great way for us to further understand the complexity of the challenges young people are faced with daily in Lancashire and to work with them to come up with solutions to prevent further inequalities. We know that young people often have the answers and as one of the young people said on the day, they are the experts by experience.”
Gary Trowsdale, Hope Collective Program Director said: “Preston was the 20th Hope Hack that’s been staged across the UK and it was out and out one of the most aspirational.
Hope Hacks bring a range of community organisations and youth charities together to support young people and make them stakeholders in shaping solutions to social ills that impact their communities. Lancashire’s VRN did a fantastic job and delivered a magical experience for everyone that took part.”
The Hope Collective is a grass-roots organisation which was formed in partnership with the Damilola Taylor Trust and a range of other public and voluntary bodies.
