Young people have launched a campaign to fight child poverty in York.
Members of the city’s Youth Council are tackling the issue after discovering that 4,705 children and young people in the city were living in poverty in 2009.
The Anti-Poverty Campaign was launched on May 30 at Millthorpe School and will bringing together headteachers, school councils, school bursars and caterers to look at how they can work together to improve the situation of pupils.
The Youth Council has developed a resource pack that aims to help schools reduce the costs of school uniform and increase awareness and take-up of free school meals.
Katie Walker, chair of York Youth Council, said: “We hope that by working with schools to make small changes to school uniforms and the system for allocating free school meals outlined in our best practice guides, we can help to take the pressure off families in poverty.”
Pete Dwyer, directors for adults, children and education for City of York Council said: “I welcome the focused work of the Youth Council and congratulate them on their willingness to make a real difference on such significant issues. I am confident that their work and recommendations will be seriously considered across the school community.”
The Youth Council is made up of young people from all over the city who represent the voice of their peers. This year they are also organising the Festival of Youth, which will take place in July in Rowntree Park; working on a project to provide a venue for young people in the city and taking part in the UK Youth Parliament.