Two change makers from Morecambe headed to Westminster to discuss some of the key issues affecting young people living in coastal communities.
Dorian Ralston and Eleanor Adamson headed to London alongside More Music’s Executive Director, Marianne Barraclough, to present evidence to the Coastal Communities All Party Parliamentary Group.
The day began with a session run by the UK’s Coastal Navigators Network which involved young people and employers from around the UK exploring key issues around water safety, digital connection and career prospects for young people living in coastal communities.
The network will follow up with actions arising from this session and report back to the young people within the next six months.
Following this, sixteen young people from coastal communities in Bridlington, Felixtowe, Ramsgate, Isle of Sheppey, Torbay, Weston-super-Mare, Blackpool, Whitehaven and Morecambe visited Westminster to share their experience with MPs, including MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Lizzi Collinge.
Wide-ranging discussion during the afternoon covered barriers to education, transport, the provision of funded youth-friendly spaces, career opportunities, policing, housing, regeneration, mental health support for young people, safety, energy and negativeperceptions of young people.
Marianne Barraclough said: “I was proud to attend the Coastal Communities APPG with two brilliant young adults from Morecambe, who shared their experiences so freely in the hope of bringing about meaningful change for other young people in their community.
‘’It was heartening to hear Dorian and Eleanor speak so warmly about the positive experiences they have had through engaging with More Music, and has further strengthened our resolve to continue to raise the necessary funds to enable us to offer safe, welcoming spaces for young people to make music and to socialise.”
In her summarising comments and after the session MP Lizzi Collinge said: “It is so important to hear from our young people about the challenges and opportunities they face. That is why this session was so valuable to me.
‘’As a middle aged professional woman, I don’t experience life the same way young people do. So to gain insight into that was incredibly useful and I know I will take what was said into conversations with colleagues and ministers.”
Following an agreement from MPs to campaign around the issues of the coastal economic area, recognising that the economy isn’t working as effectively as it should in these areas, and advice for the young people to follow up from the meeting directly with their local MPs, Lizzi Collinge gave the Morecambe group a private tour of The Houses of Parliament.
Reflecting on the day, Dorian Ralston, More Music Young Producer, said: “I enjoyed being able to speak to other young people from coastal areas, exploring the similarities and differences of our experiences.
‘’It was reassuring to hear that we are doing some things really well, and that organisations such as More Music are making a positive impact. It was great to hear about successful things from other places that could improve things for us.”
Eleanor Adamson, Board Member of Pride in Place, said, "I really appreciated the opportunity to be part of the day.
‘’Visiting Westminster and speaking with MPs about the experiences of people living in coastal communities made me feel genuinely listened to, and it was inspiring to meet others from different parts of the country who are passionate about making a difference in their areas too.”
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