The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North

Young people in the north of England are being locked out of opportunity. Regional divides, a widening gap in healthy life expectancy, and rising child poverty mean many won’t do better than their parents. These young voices are too often missing from spaces of power, and young people know it – they don’t believe democracy is working for them. 

This IPPR North panel – a fringe event at the Social Mobility Commission’s Manchester symposium - will explore the findings of IPPR North’s flagship State of the North report, The Kids Aren’t Alright. We’ll examine three key pillars to improving life chances: A Better Baseline (tackling inequality, poverty, education, employment, mental health), A Good Life (transport, access to green spaces, culture) and a Strong Voice (votes at 16, political education, youth democracy and political involvement).

Our speakers are:

Hannah Davies, Child of the North 

Ryan Henson, Social Mobility Commission

Anna Round, Youth Futures Foundation

Katy Shaw, Northumbria University 

Terri White, Journalist and documentarian

2x young people, Youth Focus North West 

Chair: Dr Ryan Swift, IPPR North

This event is open to attendees of the Social Mobility Commission's inaugural symposium in Manchester. You can find out more and register here.