Representatives from youth forums across Gwent have agreed to work more closely together.
Torfaen Youth Forum deputy chairs Boyd Painter and Harry Legge hosted the first regional meeting at Civic Centre, in Pontypool, during December.
They welcomed representatives from Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly youth forums and discussed the topics their forums were interested in, such as bullying, mental health, vaping and littering.
They shared examples of their forums’ work and discussed how to reach more young people, such as through school councils, junior forums and social media.
Boyd said: “It was great to collaborate with the regional youth forum. We discussed many pressing issues facing the young people in Torfaen and the wider Gwent region.
“We are hoping to collaborate more in the future to work together to improve the day-to-day lives of young people living in Gwent.”
The council’s Children and Young People’s Participation and Engagement officer Philip Wilson said: “The regional youth forum is a great way for local youth forums to discuss issues that are common to young people in their areas and to share ideas.
“It’s also a good platform for understanding how to get their voices heard on a national level, such as through the Welsh Youth Parliament or the UK Youth Parliament.”
The group agreed to meet four times a year. The next regional meeting, which will include Newport and Monmouthshire representatives, will meet in the spring.
Earlier in the month, the council’s draft Children and Young People’s Participation Strategy was discussed by members of the Cross-Cutting, Resources and Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which was attended by youth forum members Harry Legge and Jacob Young.
Members approved the draft strategy which will go to Cabinet in the New Year.
For more information about Torfaen Youth Forum, click this link or email [email protected]