Wirral’s SEND Youth Say it Out Loud
Wirral’s SEND young people are making sure that their voices are heard loud and clear with an exciting calendar of events so far in 2025!
Learning new skills
Wirral Council’s Commissioning Team recently invited members of the Wirral SEND Youth Voice group to get involved with the commissioning process of Wirral’s holiday activities and food (HAF) programme. Two SEND young people were trained on moderation skills and have been working closely with commissioners to sift through the applications received. They considered the applications, joined in discussions using their lived experience and marked the applicants alongside the professionals. Their input was valued and their voices heard.
Advocates for climate change
Lily, who attends the Wirral COOL Youth environment group, will be at the Wirral Cool Climate Board on the 22 January 2025 at Start Yard in Birkenhead. Lily will be discussing with leaders and professionals the current and future issues, concerns and projects impacting Wirral’s climate and the environment. The group are very passionate about having their say and through Cool Youth they have a golden opportunity to get more involved and shape the future of Wirral.
If anyone aged 11-15 would like to join Cool Youth or find out more information, you can email stephenhudson@wirral.gov.uk
Helping to shape an inclusive visitor economy in the region
Wirral SEND and neurodiverse members the Liverpool City Region Youth Combined Authority have been asked to speak at the very first Accessible Visitor Economy event on Friday 31 January at ACC Liverpool. They will be giving their valuable insights into how young people with disabilities may find getting around the Liverpool City Region as a tourist. Their insights will be listened to and acted on, making sure that the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy is accessible for all. If you would like to find out more click on this link: LIVERPOOL CITY REGION TO HOST NEW VISITOR ECONOMY ACCESSIBILITY FORUM | Invest Liverpool
If any young people aged 11-15 would like to know more about joining the Liverpool City Region Youth Combined Authority, please contact selinewakerley@wirral.gov.uk
Making SPACE for the young SEND VOICE
On Friday 7 February at Pilgrim St Arts Centre, SEND and neurodiverse young people from schools and youth groups across Wirral will be engaging with adult professionals, managers, directors, and third sector leads at the 2025 Youth Voice Conference. This year’s theme is Empowerment and Equity. The event is hosted and led by the Wirral SEND Youth Voice Group. Targeted at gaining the SEND youth voice, the conference will be exploring the ‘Lundy Model of Participation’ in the workshops:
There will be SPACE for SEND young people to have a VOICE
It will be CREATING an AUDIENCE who can make co-production possible between SEND young people and their services and support
Making sure SEND young people are an INFLUENCE on future opportunities and developments within Wirral
If you are interested in getting involved and joining the Wirral SEND Youth Voice Group, you can email selinewakerley@wirral.gov.uk
A National Audience
On 20 February, SEND and neurodiverse young people from the Wirral Youth Voice Group will be heading to Manchester to attend the Youth Voice Matters Children and Young People’s Conference. They will be involved in workshops, presentations and discussions about issues that affect them from a Wirral/Northwest perspective. Everything generated at the conference will be passed onto the Government, leaders and organisations to engage with.
We look forward to finding out what happens at these events and brining you updates on progress!