Children and Young People’s Partnership Board - March 2024 meeting

On Monday 25th March 2024, the group met in the Councillors Chambers of the Town Hall and Mabrookah from the Youth Cabinet chaired the second Children and Young People’s Partnership Board. Attendees all introduced themselves and told the group their name, where they went to school or work and favourite places to eat in Rotherham.

There were lots of different favourite places to eat including El Lupo Italian restaurant, Over the Rainbow and an Indian restaurant that was “reyt good”.

Helen Sweaton, Assistant Director for Commissioning, Quality and Performance at the Council explained that there weren’t any risks we needed to be aware of on the risk log and showed a presentation that outlined what had happened with the actions set at the last meeting.

Helen told the group that there was a Rotherhamised campaign about vaping available and shared the link for this. The group found out that Amelia, a Public Health Specialist, would follow up our concerns about vaping within schools.

After the last meeting, Councillor Cusworth told Helen that she was concerned that toilets in schools were being locked as a way of tackling vaping in schools. She suggested the Partnership Board could write to schools to urge them not to lock the toilets. This was voted on and a decision was made that this should happen.

Helen told the group that because the last meeting overran, presentation times would be stricter to make sure this doesn’t happen again and attendees have an opportunity to share their opinions.

Helen then shared a presentation which showed Rotherham Together Plan. The group voted on what agenda items would be brought to the next meeting. It was difficult to choose the most important items. The group were interested in community mental health services and the Levelling Up Fund projects happening at Wentworth Woodhouse, Magna, and Rother Valley and Thrybergh Country Parks.

After a few rounds of voting, the two agenda items for next time were determined:

1. Improved transport links to connect people to opportunities
2. Tackling hate crime

Following this, attendees then went to the Garden Room for a networking tea and had a chance to talk to other children and young people at the meeting, as well as some of the adults.

Agenda item 1 – Public events and communications

Will told us about working for the communications team for the Council and showed us some examples of what work has been carried out recently. He also showed examples of where young people have helped Rotherham.

Sarah told us about what’s happening in Rotherham this year. Attendees were sent her presentation which had information on events from previous years that are coming back along with what’s new for 2025.                                           

Members discussed public events and communications in different groups. One member said that we hear about local events after they happen, and communication could be better, so we know what’s on. Members of the group questioned how events get publicised and wondered if there could be a bigger use of social media, flyers at schools/colleges and posters around town. Members also felt that some of the events don’t attract young people and things could be done in their planning to make sure that they do.

Members highlighted that it was important staff in schools and other adults that run events have support to understand some of the additional needs of young people, and know what training there is available to them to make sure events are accessible to all. It was felt that it would be beneficial if young people were supported to know what’s available for them in their future. Public events could support with Preparation for Adulthood.

There was agreement on what should be done. The group wanted information about public events to be accessible to them, and it was felt that if young people could be involved in the planning of major events (Christmas lights, Uplift festival), the events are more likely to attract more young people.

Agenda item 2 – Nature Recovery – re-wilding and planting trees

Andy told the board that ¾ of Rotherham is rural or semi-rural and gave us examples of how the council was encouraging biodiversity. There are around 666,454 trees covering 9.2% of Rotherham, which help remove pollution, store carbon and prevent rainwater run-off. Andy shared with the board that the main aim is to get more people more active and outdoors, as well as to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and engage with residents to tackle climate change. Andy then asked attendees to consider a number of questions in groups.

The groups discussed how Andy and his team could engage with all children and young people around local and national environmental issues. It was felt by some members that interest and engagement could be linked to upbringing and the things people did when they were younger. The group wondered if there were specific youth groups available to go to, like tree planting or something linked with animals. It was felt it would be a good thing if Andy could come to talk to existing youth groups about how young people could get involved.

Members of the board would like to volunteer, but it was noted that there are restrictions and you do have to be 16 to make the most of available opportunities. The board felt it was important to be able to share their opinions, and that perhaps it would be useful to have a local campaign to collect opinions, a bit like ‘make your mark’.

The board spoke about how attitudes are towards nature and the environment for young people in Rotherham, and members said that people are either indifferent or passionate. It can sometimes feel hopeless, so opportunities to create change should be promoted. Teachers could work with students and older children and young peope should be encouraged to help restore the environment.