Young People Share Their Vision For A Better Southampton

Young people in Southampton have spoken up about what they would want in a Youth Voice Service in their city. And their ideas are powerful.

A group of 16 young researchers from a range of backgrounds, experiences and abilities but all part of the same NxTGen Young Researcher Training Programme supported by academics from the University of Southampton. (Commissioned by Southampton City Council and Southampton Place Partnership). 

Their suggestions cover everything from making schools easier for parents to engage with, to designing safe, welcoming youth spaces, to offering more diverse sports and cultural activities. 

The full project report ‘Co-Creating Tomorrow – Our City, Our Say’ is available to read now. 

The young researcher group learned how to design and run proper research – interviews, surveys, the lot! They even held a co-production day with council representatives, NHS staff and other regional charities and community groups to discuss their findings and shape the recommendations together. 

The experience had a very positive impact. 15-year-old Huniya said, “I felt like a leader and that I am teaching them something new and that they’re interested in.” 

When young people help to shape their own experiences, they are more likely to engage because it feels relevant to them. 

Southampton City Council says the recommendations will directly influence a new framework being launched later this year. And the young researchers won’t be left out – they’ll be invited back to see how their ideas are being put into action. 

Lee Timothy, Place Development Lead for Energise Me, said: “The Southampton Place Partnership were delighted to support the NxtGen Programme. We really want to invest in learning more about communities in Southampton so we can better support people to lead more active lives. These Young Researchers have blown me away with their confidence, understanding of complex social issues and ability to articulate their recommendations to decision makers in the city. We’re already working to action their findings in the community, and we hope other partners will see this as a building block for further community research and, importantly, meaningful action.” 

Some of the recommendations include: 

• Creating single-gendered spaces for physical activities in schools. 
• Build stronger links between schools and local organisations to create and promote inclusive activities. 
• Provide low-impact activities for those with specific needs like long-term health conditions. 
• Amplify young people’s voices to shape what their spaces look like and provide activities that are right for them. 

And that’s only a few! If you’re working in Southampton and want to hear what the young people had to say, read the full project report ‘Co-Creating Tomorrow – Our City, Our Say’ now. 

Co-developed and hosted by the University of Southampton’s LifeLab, the NxtGen Programme aims to develop research and advocacy skills in young people. Equipping them with tools to support their academic and employment journeys now and beyond.  

If this sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in getting involved with, check when applications are open on the LifeLab website.