It’s been a jam-packed start to 2017 but we have, amazingly, found time to re-launch our Youth Advisory Group as ‘Future Collective’.

Future Collective is a group of young representatives whose mission is to help shape and define the future of 20 Stories High. It’s all about collaboration and innovation.

Future Collective member Owen says;

“It’s about what we want, not just listening to what’s going to happen. If the staff say we’re going to do something, and the young members don’t agree, they can approach us as representatives and we will tell the company.”

One of the agenda items for the last meeting was the Residential, a favourite in the past where the young people from all the groups go to the countryside, put their screens to one side and get involved with things like archery, long walks and board games by the fire.

Future Collective member Manoka explains;

“What we love the most about the residential is that there’s no phone signal, no Wifi, no TV, we just have time to spend together as a group to connect.”

Discussing the funding for the Residential Owen says;

“We work with the 20 Stories High staff and board to look at money we can use from the core programme, but we also look at how we can contribute and raise the money ourselves.”

Future Collective have big plans for the future, including…

• Attending Staff & Board meetings to have input on the decisions of the company
• Increasing membership of Future Collective and 20SH Participatory Groups.
• Getting a slot on stages at local festivals this year for our music group the 20 Stories High Sound System
• Empowering and supporting group members as artists and professionals in the city
• Inviting industry professionals to speak at Future Collective meetings about their careers
• Organising more film & TV opportunities

In the past the Youth Advisory Group raised over £4,000 for the programme to make their sessions freely accessible. You can help contribute to their fundraising here.