Bristol-based youth empowerment organisation Babbasa has launched a new Trailblazer Programme to promote the influence of youth voice and action within their OurCity2030 vision for Bristol, generously funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
This programme aims to empower young people in challenging injustices and inequity through increasing their number represented on key decision making boards, shaping policies for the city. The Trailblazers will champion improved social mobility in the city, supporting Babbasa’s plans to engage up to 600 low-income and ethnic minority young people per annum to progress into their chosen career fields as part of the OurCity2030 initiative.
In advance of the launch of the Trailblazer Programme, an adventure weekend in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, saw 12 Trailblazers come together to access and connect with nature. As the programme is about ensuring youth voice is heard in places it wouldn’t otherwise be, it was felt fitting to run this weekend somewhere a group of underrepresented young people wouldn’t usually access.
As well as the young people taking part in a number of outdoor activities, the opportunity was also taken to run a focus group and capture youth voice to further inform the shape of the programme, and for the Trailblazers to begin to develop a network amongst each other.
Trailblazer Itunu said: “The Trailblazer group has made me feel at home. I feel like I am in a community of like-minded people. People who are young, people filled with dreams and people who are ready to push themselves. So I feel really at home, I feel surrounded by friends.”
Trailblazer Mae said: “It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me establish trust with others, connect with nature like never before and learn how to look after others and myself”.
Corrie Macleod, Babbasa Trailblazer Lead, said: “The adventure weekend was a wonderful opportunity to meet and engage with Trailblazers who already have so many exciting ideas to design and deliver this long-awaited programme. For many young people, their representation in spaces of influence would not only spark positive changes in their local community, but would create a greater sense of belonging for marginalised and ethnically minoritised youth across Bristol and beyond”.
If you would like to find out more about how to get youth voice, in the form of Babbasa Trailblazers, involved with your organisation, please contact corrie.macleod@byep.org.uk
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- Babbasa Trailblazers
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- Toasting marshmellows
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- Braving the water