We conducted a community survey of over 100 young people aged 8-18 to find out about their local community how it could be improved. Going to young people’s turf,  spoke to many of you with lived experience of violence and the youth justice system, and you opened up about your fears and everyday worries. We also discussed some of the things that can help to make our Newham a better place live.

You told us you felt stereotyped, based in part on the way you dressed portraying you as bad. A huge number of teenagers felt sometimes intimidated to open up to adults for fear of being criticized. Some of you expressed “you cannot hang out with older folks either as you feel like you don’t have much in common”. Young people’s plan of action was that volunteering their time to run an intergenerational project where Young are Serving the Old to positively challenge the ongoing stereotypes of young and old alike. This project was chosen as young people believe that the general public perceived them as bad so they want to show residents that young people can be approachable, caring, fun, hard‐working and helpful

Therefore, our You Social Action project aims to bring young people together with the elderly in activities that will positively challenge the ongoing stereotypes of young and old alike.

Tasks can be anything from help with using new electronic devices such as smart phones, even organize photos and memorabilia or make gifts for the elderly and so much more all shown to create space for mutual understanding and meaningful relationships.

To get involved complete this survey by visiting https://youthplugin.org/survey or follow us on Instagram: youthplugin