Darlington Youth Partnership
About Darlington Youth Partnership
Darlington has a Youth Partnership, the aim of which is to take forward issues that children and young people from the borough of Darlington have identified and to campaign for change to happen. The Youth Partnership aims to ask for their opinions on the important things going on in Darlington, whether it is new town developments, cuts to public spending or youth activities. We have an elected Youth MP who recently published his manifesto. The manifesto was made, using the opinions of many young people in Darlington.
Darlington’s Member of Youth Parliament, Stephen Adenuga
Hi everyone, my name is Stephen Adenuga, I’m 16 years old and a student at Carmel College Sixth Form. In March 2024, I was elected as the newest Member of Youth Parliament for Darlington. I hope that in my term, I can create long-lasting beneficial change for the young people of Darlington today and for generations to come. My over-arching vision is to cement Darlington as the standard for friendly and welcoming communities in terms of the standard of living and youth wellbeing in the United Kingdom.
Darlington’s Deputy Member of Youth Parliament, Jack James
Hi all, I am Jack James, and I was elected at Darlington’s Deputy Member of Youth Parliament in March 2024. I am 13 years old, and I go to Longfield Academy. I want to be Darlington’s next Member of Youth Parliament because I understand how important it is for the young people of Darlington’s voice to be heard. I hope that I can help to make sure that your voice is heard.
Stephen Adenuga’s Manifesto
Improving Public Transport
I have received many suggestions surrounding improving public transport services and facilities when talking to friends and other young people around Darlington. I would like to change that. I feel like a good place to start with improving public transport would be improving bus stop facilities, so they are more pleasant and sheltered for when people are waiting for the bus for long durations of time. For example, potentially heated benches to help cope with cold weather especially during autumn and winter months and also regularly cleaning and maintaining of these bus stops as to keep them more clean, appealing and hygienic for all young people and all residents of Darlington.
Mental Health and Wellness
I believe that we could all benefit from a break occasionally. A break from all the stress and pressure that comes with school and college, particularly exams. From experience, I have seen the adverse effects that exam stress has on some students which include detrimental effects on mental health and wellbeing as well as poor performance. My proposed solution to this would be students being able to take mental health and wellness days as an authorised absence for all secondary schools and colleges in Darlington. These would be controlled to an extent, but it would be at the discretion of parents/carers. I believe this would have both a positive effect on performance and student wellbeing.
Schools of Sanctuary
I would like Darlington to be a safe haven for all, a welcoming town and a place for all to thrive. During my time in Carmel, at secondary and now in sixth form, we have had our School of Sanctuary status and group. I was heavily involved in this in Year 10 and have been ever since. I have seen the positive effects that it has had and more importantly, that it works. I would love to see this happen in other schools and would plan to expand it to more schools in Darlington that are eligible from primary schools all the way to college and to work to get more schools eligible. I think we should all commit to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits all of us, including those in Darlington seeking sanctuary.
Darlington Youth Cabinet
Under of Member of Youth Parliament and Deputy Member of Youth Parliament, we have a Youth Cabinet. This group is made up of Jack Parvin, Charlie Cela and Katie Thompson. This group meets regularly to discuss issues that they have noticed young people are concerned about. They also often meet with different decision makes both within and outside of the Council to act as a voice for the young people of Darlington. We are always open to new members joining the Youth Cabinet so if this is something you would be interested in and you are aged 11-18, please email Evie Burford on [email protected].
Young People's Plan 2017-22
We want to make sure that all children and young people growing up in Darlington get the best start in life - for example you feel safe, are healthy, are achieving at school, grow up in a caring community and enjoy life, read more about the plan.
Make Your Mark
Youth Parliament [external link]
Make Your Mark 2024
During February 2024, schools from across Darlington took part in the Youth Parliament's Make Your Mark Consultation. Make Your Mark is an annual consultation of 11-18 year olds. It aims to give young people the chance to have their say on what matters to them. This year 10 issues were presented to young people on a ballot paper. They had to select the most important issue to them. Over 3,440 votes were cast across 12 different schools and Health & Wellbeing came out as the top issue for young people for 746 votes. The second most important issue was Culture, Media & Sport with 517 and third was most important with 404 votes. These votes have led to a detailed survey being given to young people to further understand what is meant by ‘Health & Wellbeing’. These votes will also help our Youth Cabinet to know what young people in Darlington care about most.
Make Your Mark - Darlington 2024 [pdf document]