Young people are being encouraged to provide feedback on plans to help tackle issues of inequality in the Wokingham area. 

Wokingham Borough Council have asked its Youth Council to review the Equalities Year 2 Action Plan (2022/23), as well as the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy. 

Roughly a quarter of Wokingham residents are under the age of 24, so the group was created in 2021 to provide a platform for young people to raise awareness of issues that are important to them. 

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Youth MP at The Emmbrook School, Jonathan Dodd, said: "The Wokingham Youth Council allows the voice of young people to be heard. 

“I enjoy volunteering here as it brings about a sense of comradery with other schools in the Wokingham Borough to debate and take action on issues that matter to us the most." 

The Youth Council have elected representatives to identify key topics that the students feel are particularly important to young people. 

These include gender, diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, poverty and homelessness, education equality, volunteering and mental health. 

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Diversity Champion and student at The Emmbrook School, Dylan Nanda, said: “The Wokingham Youth Council has given me the chance to talk about matters surrounding the topic of diversity in a respectful environment.  

“I have the pleasure to listen to what other children have to say about diversity and I can share my ideas about it knowing that I will be listened to as well.”  

The group meet once a term where there have already been meetings on climate change, diversity, and gender equality The remaining meetings for 2022 will focus on mental health, LGBTQ+ and volunteering.