A Conversation on Youth Participation, Power and Potential

Priya is Programme Manager at Participation People - youth engagement specialists helping organisations make better decisions for young people. For the last 12 months, she has worked with the Safer London VIPs to help them shape and inform everything we do at Safer London, as well as contribute to the wider conversation and violence and exploitation.

Today we spoke to Priya about the importance of youth participation and the potential young people have to create change.

What's one highlight you've had with the VIPs in the last year?

We recently had a session where we did a bit of storytelling. There were about eight young Londoners in the room. What stood out wasn't just the story themselves - it was the creativity, humour, and honesty they brought to the space.

It was a reminder of what happens when young Londoners are given the tools and freedom to lead: their voices come through clearly, and their ideas have real impact. The session left me thinking about all the untapped potential we sometimes overlook.

Some of my favourite moments have also come from the more informal get-togethers - like catching up over Nando's or reviewing how things work at Safer London. These sessions might seem small, but they matter. The young Londoners involved genuinely care about the direction we're going in, and it's been great to see how comfortable they've become in sharing their views and shaping the work with us.

How do you think being a VIP is making a difference in their lives?

Creating space for young Londoners to share their thoughts is important - but it's more than just about making room. What we're seeing is that within that space, they're finding real ownership of their voices. There's a growing sense of autonomy, and a confidence that what they say matters.

What's also been powerful is the mutual respect they've built as a group. They come from all kinds of backgrounds and life experiences, and instead of those differences being a barrier, they've become something the group genuinely values. It's been great to see how much they appreciate and learn from each other.

What skills or values do you hope they take away from the VIP sessions?

The skills young Londoners are building through this work go far beyond the sessions themselves. They're gaining experience they can put on their CVs - things like teamwork, communication, and confidence engaging with adults and people from different backgrounds.

What's really clear is how much they grow when they're given the space to be themselves. You can see that shift happen - when they realise they're accepted, that their voices matter, and that it's okay to show up as they are. That confidence spills over into other areas too. They're getting involved in more projects, feeling proud to log the hours they've put in, and even telling us about job interviews or how they supported a friend who is struggling outside of the sessions.

One of the best parts is when I get to share what's changed at Safer London because of their input. Every time, you can see how much it means to them. That sense of impact really stays with them - and with us.

It's also a kind of reverse mentoring; we're learning just as much from them as they are from us.

How do you see the VIP programme evolving in the future?

The programme has so much potential. From contributing to staff training at Safer London to influencing policy and taking part in roundtable discussions - it's all about making sure young Londoners, especially those affected by exploitation and crime, have a voice where it matters.

Their lived experience brings real value. It's not just relevant, it's essential. They have a unique perspective that can help shape how organisations like Safer London work, both at a strategic level and in day-to-day practice. Whether it's feeding into how Caseworkers support young Londoners or thinking about how safe and welcoming our physical spaces are, their insights make a real difference.

There's a huge opportunity here to keep growing youth voice across the organisation - and to make sure it's not just heard by acted on.

I'm so happy that I'm with people who have similar experiences, we're on the same page and our voices can be heard.

What do you think young Londoners need from youth work right now?

Supporting young Londoners means investing properly - in time, resources, and the right kind of mentorship. That support should be youth-led, shaped by what young Londoners actually say they need, and delivered in a way that prioritises their wellbeing.

Over the past 15 years, we've seen a real decline in youth work - both in terms of professional support and the life opportunities available to young Londoners. That's had a serious impact on their mental health, sense of identity, and what they believe is possible for their future.

Even when spaces do exist, they're often not accessible. Costs add up, and things like membership fees can be a barrier. Of course, there are some brilliant youth clubs out there - but many of them survive thanks to the dedication of grassroots communities and volunteers.

There needs to be more recognition of the role youth work plays in shaping lives - not just as something 'nice to have', but as something essential.

How has the VIP group changed or inspired you personally?

What stands out most is there resilience. Many of these young Londoners have faced incredibly tough situations - things no one should have to go through. Any yet, they've found a way to keep going, to turn those experiences into something powerful. It's not about pretending everything's fine, but about recognising their strength in the face of it all.

I've been lucky to build some really strong, trusting relationships with them. And honestly, it's been just as valuable for me. It's given me the space to show up as the youth worker I've always wanted to be. There's a sense of shared understanding - growing up in London, there are things we both just get. That connection has made the work feel all the more real.

If you could sum up what the last year has been like for you in one word, what would it be?

One word that keeps coming to mind is elevating. Over the past year, we've seen so much growth - young people rediscovering their confidence, going back into education, stepping into new opportunities. As a group and as individuals, it feels like we're constantly hitting new milestones.

It's a bit like being in a lift together - each floor we reach is another step forward, and we're all moving upward, side by side.

Thanks to the VIPs I have become a lot more confident in myself and sharing opinions and thoughts with fun like-minded people my age! We're not just making a difference to Safer London but we're also doing it to ourselves!

The stories of the young Londoners here are only possible because of people who believe in the power of young people - and choose to support it. With your help, we can continue creating spaces where young Londoners are heard, valued and empowered to shape their futures.

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