The workshop at the school was part of the Big Youth Conversation initiative promoted by the council for Waltham Forest. Students demanded sufficient part-time work, apprenticeships, work experience and mentors. Business card printing in Walthamstow can be used by entrepreneurs of all ages. KJ Moore, a secondary school student, told the East London & West Essex Guardian:
“The Big Youth Conversation was very helpful. We discussed many topics and it showed how we can be motivated and how we can achieve great things.”
The Waltham Forest Life Chances Commission is going to utilise the feedback which was generated at the event. The organisation was established last year, with the aim of the work being to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the obstacles which limit the achievements of the young people in the vicinity of the school.
At present, quite a few young people in the district do not obtain any qualifications. There are many families with low incomes in the area. There can be a link between deprivation and underachievement, so the independent commission may have several recommendations to make.
Waltham Forest Council is prepared to take action. It would like to work with its partners to help more people to thrive. Clare Coghill, the leader of the council, is clear that she is committed to the empowerment of young people.