Four times every 12 months, representatives from Sutton’s youth are invited to come together and share their views with professionals and suggest solutions from a young people’s perspective in an inclusive, collaborative and empowering way. Our latest one was on 18th July 2024 at Sutton Family Hub, Central Sutton.

Back in March, we trialled a new format with professionals sharing what they do in their area and young people having a Q&A with quick turn-around times. This gained good feedback and comments were taken on board that young people wanted more time to present, so the time given to them was doubled to hear directly from young people. The other change was that, along with groups presenting, young people also stepped up by taking on the roles of timekeeper, introducing speakers, leading ice breakers and welcoming guests, and did a great job!

The professionals attending this safety focussed session were the Successful Sutton and their street team and police colleague, Community Works’ Street Pastor team, and Metropolitan Police Youth Engagement & Diversion Team – Sutton team. The interactive presentations included the Street Pastor’s bag of tricks they use at night including flip flops, drink covers and phone chargers. The key message that kept coming forward was how Sutton is consistently one of the safest Boroughs in London.

Young people heard from all professionals the reassuring message that Sutton has one of the lowest crime rates in the whole of london (consistently in the bottom 3 boroughs)

We had two presentations from young people. One was launching the new Celebrating Sutton’s Diversity project, fresh from presenting at the Fairness Commission the week before. And the second led by Joseph Dean from Sutton Grammar School on initial findings from a safety survey with over 1,500 responses!

Mental Health, Safety and Equalities have been identified as three priorities for the young people in Sutton.

Save the date

The next Youth Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 5th December 4-6.30pm, Central Sutton.

If you work with an organisation with young people attending, please get in touch with Natasha Blok to arrange for both younger and adult representatives to attend future Youth Board meetings and our upcoming Sutton Youth Summit on Thursday 10th October.

Here's the Young Commissioners' Instagram post on it. Follow their Instagram account to keep up to date with their activities.

To find out more about the Youth Board, please contact Natasha Blok, Organisations & Youth Participation Officer on natashablok@vcsutton.org.uk. 

To read the key report from the Sutton Youth Board Meeting July 2024 click here.

To see the full safety survey click here.

To read the latest Youth Safety Newsletter, in collaboration with the Police, click here.

To see the general youth safety page, click here.