Around 100 young people from across Warwickshire came together at The University of Warwick on Friday 25 April for the Warwickshire Youth Conference: Shaping Tomorrow Together – a dynamic, youth-led event focused on empowerment, creativity, and community.

Hosted on campus, the conference was a collaboration between Warwickshire’s Youth Council, Child Friendly Warwickshire, Children in Care Council, Care Leavers Forum, IMPACT (young people’s forum for SEND), and Warwickshire County Council. The event was also supported by University of Warwick Student Ambassadors, who played an essential role in ensuring the day ran smoothly.

Designed by young people, for young people, the conference featured eight interactive workshops covering topics such as life skills, smoking and vaping, crime and safety, mental health and school experience, creative drama, activism, spaces for boys, and the environment. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with over 25 local services – including Barclays, Barnardo’s, Warwickshire Pride, MIND, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, and Victim Support – and enjoy a variety of fun, hands-on activities.

Amelie Barker, co-chair of the Youth Council, said: “I’ve been involved in helping to plan this conference from the very beginning, and it’s meant so much to see it all come together. It shows that young people’s voices matter – and when we’re given the chance, we can create something powerful that brings people together and makes a real difference.”

Fellow Youth Council co-chair Alexis Flanagan echoed her sentiments, celebrating the event as a meaningful step in helping Warwickshire become as child-friendly as possible.

One attendee highlighted the event’s range and energy, saying: “I especially enjoyed the range of workshops. It wasn’t just talks – we got involved. The life skills workshop where we made our own pizzas, and the rap workshop where we created poems and heard them performed as songs, were brilliant.”

Martin Price, Associate Director – Regional Engagement at The University of Warwick, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome these fantastic young people to the University and to support this meaningful event. Giving local young people opportunities and a voice is at the heart of our mission, and today’s conference was a great example of working together with Warwickshire County Council to do just that.”

Nigel Minns, Executive Director for Children and Young People at Warwickshire County Council, added: “This event showcased the power of community engagement, youth empowerment and education. It reflects what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose.

“The conference is not just a gathering – it’s a promise. A promise to offer young people a space where their voices are heard, where they feel welcome, and where they can influence the future of Warwickshire. Their ideas and energy are what drive positive change in our county.”

The Warwickshire Youth Conference forms part of the county’s wider ambition to become a more child-friendly place to live and grow – empowering young people to shape decisions, influence change, and build the future they want to see.

Find out more about Child Friendly Warwickshire and future events at: childfriendlywarwickshire.co.ukLink opens in a new window

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Stevie Connoll – Media & Communications Officer

stevie.connoll@warwick.ac.uk / +44 (0)7824 540791