Next Tuesday, 26th March, young people are being given the unique opportunity to share their views on big questions such as the link between social media and mental health and the housing crisis.
The JUST SAY IT! event, run by local charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI), will offer young people the chance to talk about a variety of topics, including whether drugs should be legalised, and why knife crime is on the rise and what should be done about it.
DHI’s Chief Executive and founder, Rosie Phillips, said: “We want to prevent today’s young people from becoming tomorrow’s socially excluded adults, so it’s vital that we hear young people’s views.”
Liz Bryan, DHI’s youth services manager, added: “DHI’s young people’s drug and alcohol services in B&NES and Wiltshire are seeing an ever increasing need for help and advice about knife crime, county lines and the increase in young people being coerced into dealing drugs and being sexually exploited.”
The JUST SAY IT! event, taking place between 5pm-6.30pm at the egg Theatre, is open to any young person aged 14-21.
A panel of experts including Victor da Cunha (Curo), Inspector Sarah Dinnis (Avon & Somerset Police), Sandy Hore-Ruthven (Creative Youth Network), Richard King (Children in Need), the B&NES Member of the Youth Parliament and DHI staff will join the event to inform the debate.
JUST SAY IT! will be hosted by Greg Ingham, the Chief Executive of MediaClash, founder of Creative Bath and former Theatre Royal Bath Chairman.
Developing Health & Independence (DHI), one of the region’s largest charities, is celebrating its 20th birthday in 2019 with a year-round schedule of events within the charity’s Vision Project initiative, exploring how it can achieve its vision to end social exclusion.
Rosie Phillips added: “At a time when homelessness is on the rise and drug-related deaths are higher than ever, it’s vital that we all engage in tackling the issues that continue to perpetuate the crisis.
“Developing Health & Independence has always been an innovative and solution focused charity, led by our vision and values in the face of challenges.
“That’s why, rather than looking backwards, we have decided to celebrate our 20th anniversary year by looking forward.”