Minutes:
Dechaun Malcolm, children’s rights and participation officer provided a verbal update to the committee. He was present with two young people who had been members of SpeakerBox for 6 years and 9 years respectively.
Dechaun outlined the following:
· Housing – addressing housing complaints and a carers’ relationship with their lead workers
· Independent affordable housing and access to advocacy support was difficult
· Complaints: Communication surrounding complaints was a major concern raised by young people
· Lead workers – address issues regarding difficulty with care plan
· Support and plan – Clare Ryan, service manager - looked after children, children's and adults' services works closely with teams to prevent issues from arising and ensuring the necessary training takes place
· SpeakerBox continue to attend a series of event events like coffee mornings etc to bridge the gap
· Also running a creative group and choir that young people were actively involved in
· The young people that are involved in the choir have had an opportunity to perform on stage to perform
· SpeakerBox held their Winter Ball last year and a celebratory event on 25 October 2022 where 60 people attended the event. The young people who were present shared their experiences about the successful celebratory event.
Dechaun relayed feedback to the committee about what the young people had highlighted which were following:
· Continued support to young members of SpeakerBox
· Employment opportunities
· Develop total respect and training opportunities to allow the upskilling of young people
· “I am…” Campaign film launch held on 11 April 2023, between 2.00pm – 4.30pm at South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Rd, SE5 (further information provided by Dechaun after the meeting)
· Drama performance
· Showcasing show last summer
· Organised auction – sold items, to fund raise to develop a new SpeakerBox website
· An event – “I belong here …” is a voice of young people for fostering was mentioned at the meeting.
· The young people took part in the 2030 conversations which was well attended and noted advocacy, housing and complaints were matters that needed to be resolved.
SpeakerBox - Plans for 2023
· The council had recruited a second children’s rights and participation officer
· The continued partnership with the virtual school
· Learn new skills, shares cultures outreach work – especially for the young people in custody
· More opportunities for training for employment for professional positions
· Provide positive spaces to thrive together.
The chair thanked the young speakers and Dechaun for his verbal update. She agreed to provide House of Commons shop gifts for the above event as part of the auction.