Mission to give youth a voice
A TEAM of teenage activists on a mission to boost ‘youth power’ have created a video diary of their tour through every borough in Greater Manchester.
Team Future Campaign – part of youth charity RECLAIM – hit towns across the region to talk to young people about the changes they want to see in society. Their goal is to ensure that the voices of working class young people are heard – and acted upon by those in power.
They were also on a recruitment charge, hoping to spread the word about an upcoming march, the Walk for Change next week.
Having designed their own workshop, they visited youth centres and town centres, handing out leaflets and interviewing hundreds of other young people. They created a video diary along the way to capture the views of working class youth and other members of the public.
Shawnee Dylan, 16, from Brinnington, Stockport, said: “I’m doing this tour to show to other young people that their voices and opinions are valid, to empower them and to help them believe in themselves enough to make their voices heard. Also to ring young working class people together to build a platform and a movement big enough that we can no longer be ignored.”
Samuel Remi-Akinwale, 17, added: “Team Future is all about building the collective power and voice of young people in our society – especially working class young people who are often the most locked out of debate. We’re making this road trip because we want to engage with young people just like ourselves all around Greater Manchester, have some fun and make sure they understand they have the power to make a difference if we work together.”
The Walk for Change will be a peaceful demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens at 4.30pm on August 22.
Follow Team Future on Twitter @ teamfuture2017 and on Instagram teamfuture_collective.