A youth charity from Bournemouth is calling on local political candidates to listen to the voices of young people who have been given a platform in this year’s General Election through a national YMCA manifesto.
YMCA Bournemouth, which supports 2,000 young people across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, has given its backing to the national YMCA manifesto that lists more than 40 recommendations for the next government, all inspired by consultations with young people across the country. The recommendations cover a diverse range of subjects that matter to young people today, including access to housing, mental health support, apprenticeships and physical health and wellbeing.
Lucy Culkin, Business Development Manager at YMCA Bournemouth, said: “Only 43% of young people voted in the last General Election and, as such, young people’s voices can be easily ignored by political candidates and decision makers. “We’re backing this manifesto because it puts young people back at the centre of political debate, ensuring that the issues that matter most to them are highlighted in the run up to 8 June.
“Young people have the most to gain – and the most to lose – from the policies of any future government and that is why we’re calling on our local candidates to put YMCA’s recommendations front and centre of their policies in the coming years.”
YMCA Bournemouth runs a range of services across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch including children’s centres, gyms, housing support and youth support. It is part of a nationwide YMCA federation of 116 local charities that, combined, works across 740 communities and supports 630,000 people.
Download a copy of YMCA’s national manifesto at: www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/ymca-manifesto-2017
For more information on YMCA Bournemouth, visit www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk
Young people are also being encouraged to register to vote ahead in the General Election by the Monday 22 May deadline. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
