By Beth Fortune
It was a pleasure to join the Devon Youth Council on Saturday 30 June and spend time hearing directly from young people who are passionate about the future of Devon and Torbay.
The Devon Youth Council brings together young people aged 11 to 20 from across the county to work with decision-makers and help make Devon a place where young people can thrive. Despite being one of the final sessions of the afternoon, the energy in the room was fantastic, with members keen to share their views and ideas.
I started by giving a brief introduction to the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and the role we play in helping to shape the future of the area. We also talked about the Spatial Development Strategy, a long-term plan that will guide how Devon and Torbay grow over the next few decades.
The most valuable part of the session, however, was hearing from the young people themselves.
We split into groups and explored a big question: How would you create sustainable growth across Devon and Torbay over the next 20 years?
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including housing, transport, jobs and apprenticeships, and protecting the environment. What impressed me most was the creativity and thoughtfulness behind the ideas. Young people spoke about everything from supporting innovation in farming and providing greater support for local businesses to making changes in schools that could better prepare students for future careers.
One message came through particularly strongly. Many young people felt there are already exciting opportunities available in Devon and Torbay, but not enough people know about them.
There was a real interest in strengthening links between schools, employers and major local organisations so that young people, parents and carers have a better understanding of the opportunities that exist locally. The discussion highlighted how important it is to raise awareness of the different routes into meaningful and sustainable careers without necessarily needing to leave the region.
I was also encouraged by the positive views many young people shared about apprenticeships. We talked about the growing demand for skilled workers in sectors such as construction and how apprenticeships can help young people access rewarding careers while supporting the region’s future growth.
What struck me throughout the session was how connected all these issues are. Young people spoke about the need for affordable housing, better transport links, access to good jobs, a vibrant cultural offer and a healthy natural environment. They recognised that none of these challenges can be tackled on their own and that meaningful progress depends on different organisations working together towards shared goals.
That sense of joined-up thinking is exactly what we hope to achieve through the Spatial Development Strategy. As the work develops, it will be important that the voices of people who live, work and study in Devon and Torbay help shape the future of our area.
As we came to the end of the session, I explained that I hope to return to the Youth Council in the coming months as the Spatial Development Strategy progresses. Their ideas, insights and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on me, and I am grateful for the time they took to share their views.
I left feeling optimistic about the future. The young people in the room care deeply about their communities and have plenty of ideas about how to make Devon and Torbay an even better place to live, work and thrive. I look forward to continuing the conversation with them, both on the Spatial Development Strategy and across other areas of the DTCCA’s work.