“The Youth Council gives me hope” says Green Deputy Leader

The new Deputy Leader for the Green councillors, Cleo Lake has pledged to support the Youth Council Manifesto in any way she can. Speaking at the first Full Council since the election, Councillor Lake called for the voices of young people to be listened to as responsible citizens and representatives of Bristol.

As a parent of a teenager who has ongoing mental health challenges, Councillor Lake congratulated the Youth Council on highlighting the importance of improving mental health provision for young people. She also raised the importance of local knowledge and expertise when commissioning services, having witnessed the knock on effect on scaled back youth provision and preventative measures, connected to austerity.

Living within a 3 street radius where at least 15 young people within the last 18 months are either in jail or awaiting trial, Councillor Lake raised her concerns that there is crisis among sections of our youth. She celebrated the Youth Council manifesto as giving hope for better days ahead and called for it to be listened to.