Culture Secretary kicks off National Youth Strategy engagement at empire gym in Bristol

The Secretary of State, alongside 20-year-old Bristolian Serena Wiebe, who is an anti-knife crime campaigner, youth mentor and boxing coach at Empire, talked to a group of young people at Bristol’s Empire Fighting Chance

Empire Fighting Chance boxing gym to hear what changes they want to see to improve their lives. 

Several young people who have come through the programmes at Empire were involved in the round table discussion at the gym, alongside young people from a variety of organisations including : Bristol City Robins Foundation, Youth Moves, The Ranch at Southmead Development Trust, Grassroots Communities.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said : “The National Youth Strategy will prioritise putting the views of young people at the centre of decision-making on policies that affect them, delivering better coordinated youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level.

 It will make sure decision-making moves away from a one-size-fits all approach, handing power back to young people and their communities, while rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector. 

This initiative will help the government deliver on its missions to rebuild Britain, break down barriers to opportunity, make our streets safer, as part of delivering a decade of renewal across the nation.”

As the Youth Strategy is developed, young people from across the country will be given the opportunity to play a major role towards the support services, facilities and opportunities they need outside the school gates to benefit their lives and futures – with the roundtable in Bristol kicking off the first phase of engagement. 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The conversation that took place in Bristol today has kicked off what we intend to be the most ambitious government engagement with young people the country has ever seen, and will be a vital part of delivering our Plan for Change. 

"By putting young people at the heart of the National Youth Strategy, this government will put the country’s youth back in charge of their own destiny and shape policy that reflects their needs and aspirations for the future.”

Serena Wiebe, campaigner, boxing coach and mentor said: “I am pleased we had an opportunity to have a roundtable discussion in Bristol today. It’s important that young people have a voice and platform to express their opinions and views on key issues that affect their lives. 

This isn’t always the case, so I would like to thank the Secretary of State for convening this and hope that some key actions take place as a result. Remember, young people are the future leaders of tomorrow."

Conrad from Bristol City Robins Foundation said: “A massive thank you for inviting us down, we felt the topics the young people were speaking about are massively related to the work we are doing at the foundation, and are excited to work together to help tackle these issues.”

Following today’s roundtable, the Government plan to set up a Youth Advisory Group to allow young people to influence and challenge policy decisions. In addition, they will continue to engage widely with young people through a variety of methods – including face-to-face engagements, focus groups and surveys. 

Following a period of engagement, the government are looking to publish the new National Youth Strategy in 2025. 

At Empire Fighting Chance we feel honoured to be able to play a central role in supporting this vital work.