Easily Ignored Voices

Last weekend a large group of our young people of various ages, from across the country, met together at a venue in Islington, London for ‘Easily Ignored Voices’. 

‘Easily Ignored Voices’ was developed following feedback from the National Youth Council, where young representatives told us that they had experienced discrimination in their lives based on their identity. As part of the Participation programme, and in collaboration with rapper, Ric Flo, the ‘Easily Ignored Voices’ session gave our young people a place to speak about the importance of people understanding and celebrating different identities, and how everyone at Five Rivers could challenge and be champions for Diversity in their everyday lives.

Sue, Fostering Support Worker from Doncaster, accompanied the region’s Youth Council Representative to attend; “this was his first time at a Youth Council Project and he said he had really enjoyed the time and experiences and he made fantastic contributions along with all the other attendees.”

“Their aim was to work on topics discussed and chosen at the National Youth Council meeting held in Birmingham in May this year – a Race Project; the young people specified a wish for us to do something about Racism,” said Sue.

Along with rapper, Ric Flo, and our Participation Lead Olivia Doherty, the young people worked on creating voice recordings about their own experiences concerning Racism, as well as making digital graphics using a variety of imagery ideas such as light, building, background and fibre optic lights.

Lunch was taken in the roof garden – sharing a variety of pizzas and when new friendships were built and developed.

All this information and these striking images (alongside many more) will be used to compile a book. The book will be written to explain the experiences of Racism and its impact on the young people; the book will also give people tips on how to be a good ally and have cultural awareness when it comes to Race and Ethnicity.

With the help of Senior Managers, this book will be circulated to all young people, staff, carers, and education establishments.

The Diversity Listening Groups are about the importance of people understanding and celebrating different identities and how everyone at Five Rivers could challenge and be champions for Diversity in their everyday lives.