MORE than 80 young people from across the borough have taken part in an event designed to ensure their voices are heard on key issues and decisions affecting them.

Young people aged 9-22 from the National Youth Parliament, local schools, the Children in Care Council and those connected through partner organisations including Connexions and Cheshire Police spent the day highlighting the best ways to successfully engage them in council activities.

The participation workshop asked young people a range of questions on how they were able to give views and ideas about services provided for them and what service issues most concerned them.

Almost 40% of participants indicated they would like to be kept up to date with council services through social and digital media outlets, while many also highlighted the importance of face-to-face discussions.

All information collected on the day will now be used as part of multi-agency working and will be fed into the council’s and Children’s Trust’s Participation Strategy for future plans.

Lord Mayor of Chester Eleanor Johnson, who opened the participation workshop, said: “It was great to see so many young people from across the borough, from varying backgrounds, sharing their thoughts with us on the services we provide for them and help us find out how to improve the way we communicate.

“It’s really important that we listen to our customers and respond to what they say they need with services that fit the bill, but we can only do this with help and advice from them, thank you to all who took part in what proved to be a very successful day.”