Croydon’s community is being urged to unite in backing a new high-profile campaign encouraging young people to make positive life choices.
With 93,000 young people living in Croydon – more than anywhere else in London – the council has launched Choose Your Future as a call to action around the top two priorities they shared at this summer’s youth congress – staying safe and finding jobs and success.
The campaign – now live on social media and at poster sites across Croydon – asks young people to make positive choices in those areas of their life and for residents, businesses and local organisations to support them in this.
It has already been backed by many young residents, who have pledged their support with testimonials and video messages and local organisations who have pledged support as campaign partners.
Choose Your Future will also promote and celebrate young people’s positive choices and achievements, while continuing to give them a real voice on local issues.
As part of the campaign Croydon Council and partners will:
- hold 1,000 conversations with young people;
- give 100 young people opportunities;
- get 10 organisations backing the campaign with live opportunities; and
- create one community fund for young people.
The campaign is kick-started by:
- welcoming 24 new apprentices into roles at the council;
- holding Croydon Live, a jobs fair for 16- to 25-year-olds with live part-time, full-time and seasonal vacancies;
- giving young people the opportunity to take up the reins at some of the town’s leading organisations during Croydon Takeover;
- encouraging young people to get involved in cultural activity through Croydon Youth Arts Takeover;
- announcing plans to elect a young mayor and deputy mayor next spring;
- launching a youth engagement strategy to empower young people; and
- encouraging local businesses to sign up for responsible knife retailing.
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning
“I’m really proud that Croydon’s young people have such drive and determination – they want to do the right thing and they want to be successful – together we can give them the opportunities to achieve their goals and be the best they can.”
“I’m calling on everyone in Croydon to get behind Choose Your Future – whether you are a young person thinking about what you want to achieve in life; a local business who could help to give them a step up; or a retailer that could help to keep knives off the street by acting responsibly. Everyone has a role to play.”
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice
“This campaign is an opportunity to unite all of us in Croydon in getting knives off the street and making the borough a safer place, for residents of all ages, but particularly for young people.
“By encouraging young people’s aspirations and supporting them to make positive choices, we can inspire the next generation.”
Show your support for #chooseyourfuture on social media – twitter, instagram and facebook.
