Charity wants to encourage young people to vote

A youth charity has set up workshops to encourage young people to take an interest in the general election.

The YMCA in Norwich hosted its Y Vote event, where young people and key workers discussed political topics.

Five parliamentary candidates standing for the Norwich South seat were invited to participate. Only the Liberal Democrat candidate attended with no representation from the Conservative Party, Green Party, Labour Party or Reform UK.

Young people who took part said the event helped them focus on issues that matter to them.

Damien, 18, has lived at the YMCA in Norwich for nine months, and said he had not understood the process of voting.

He said: "I registered to vote and got a polling card in the last vote [Norwich City Council and Police and Crime Commissioner], but I don't know how to do it. I was just told to go to City Hall."

He said he will vote in the general election and the main issue he was focused on was the cost of living.

"The amount I am on because I cannot work means it is quite hard to buy simple things," he said.

"Things like that are really important to people who are in vulnerable situations.

"Today has helped me. I've managed to look at what my priorities would be so I can easily look what any party says it is going to do, and what will be more important to me."

Jessica, 24, moved into the YMCA in March 2023 and is now an ambassador for the charity in England and Wales.

She said: "Today has helped me understand my own priorities in terms of being an advocate for young people.

"It helps me understand what I can campaign on and how I can move forward but also to help me decide [which] party I want to support as well.

"We tend to hear a lot about how young people feel that they aren't always being listened to based on politicians' actions.

"I think for the next person who comes into government, they need to be proactive and put their money where their mouth is."

Ruth Vaughan is a YMCA ambassador. She said: "We've had a great time hearing what young people's key priorities are; what are their passions and what is the change that they want to see.

"As we move into a general election [we can think about] how their voices can be heard and impact the world around them.

"All it needs is a word of encouragement and opportunity to consider, reflect and think about what they're passionate about and [to] have somebody there listening, to say I hear you, I care about you and what you're saying is valuable."

A full list of candidates standing in Norwich South can be found here.

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