Issue - meetings

The Assembly received the Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and Young Mayor’s Annual Report, introduced by the Head of Participation, Opportunity and Wellbeing, who then handed over to representatives of the Youth Forum.

The report detailed the achievements of the BAD Youth Forum during the past 12 months, outlining the work of each of its sub-groups, their aims and the impact of the work completed.

The Youth Forum were concerned about the rise of misogynistic material on social media and the increasing view of sexual harassment and sexual assault being acceptable among some young people.  Forum members had designed a survey to capture young people’s thoughts, feelings and experiences of sexual harassment and abuse to understand what was happening in the borough.  While waiting for survey responses, the Forum created some products to give to young people to highlight the issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault.  These items included oyster card holders, lip balms, rulers and banner pens. 

Other key highlights of the report included:

·  Undertaking workshops to understand sexual harassment, unwanted attention and gender based violence;

·  Creating a Young Persons’ tab on the Council’s BD Money webpages;

·  Raising money for the Young Mayor’s Chairty, Centre Point, by undertaking a group sleepout and bucket shakes at events in the borough;

·  Volunteering at Barking Foodbank and creating wellbeing bags for homeless people;

·  Events attended by the Young Mayor, Regina Mudibo Pamba, which included Mayor Making and the Civic Parade, Women’s Empowerment Awards and Transgender Remembrance Day; and

·  Various additional events providing new experiences and opportunities for young people.

The Assembly thanked the Forum for their presentation and hard work during 2023.

The Assembly resolved to note the work and achievements of the BAD Youth Forum in 2023.