One year on Raising Lincoln’s Young Voices

A group of seven individuals stands together in front of a vibrant mural featuring colorful designs and bold shapes.

Last year, on 9th April 2024, LocalMotion and The Network Lincoln hosted a research gathering event called Raising Lincoln’s Young Voices at Lincoln College. This event was created by young people, for young people. It provided them with an opportunity to have their voices heard regarding Lincoln, the issues affecting their futures, and our communities.

How it came to be

Raising Young Voices began with members of the LocalMotion Lincoln group recognising the limited representation of youth voices in the city community's place-shaping and strategy. They developed a local plan to secure funding until 2031, aiming to amplify Lincoln’s young voices, representing over 21% of the city’s population.

The Network joined event planning discussions, sharing their learnings and experiences, and assisting in connecting with marginalised young people who contributed to designing the event, including topics, barriers, structure, date, and location. They also began searching for potential young hosts.

Once the young people agreed on the topics, they sought professional stakeholders related to those topics, including support from the Leader of the City of Lincoln Council.

Various visits to youth spaces were conducted to enhance engagement and attendance, which helped confirm hosts. The hosts were contacted via email and given the option to design the sessions and resources or connect before the event itself. The hosts also had access to three optional online workshops to ask questions and learn more about the event. LocalMotion Lincoln also requested additional funding of over £1500 to cover participation costs.

On the day of the event, they used a network of organisations to support young people, including providing refreshments, a quiet space, and opportunities for dog interaction for those feeling overwhelmed by the crowd.

The following day, a follow-up invitation was extended to encourage longer-term involvement.

Findings from the event

Following the event, Wilf Wright, a young community researcher, created a comprehensive report synthesising the findings and research collected during the event. This report is now complete and available in digital and print formats to reach as many people as possible. You can read the full report here: Raising Young Voices Report 2024

One finding from the conference is that young people have lost their trust in Lincoln, yet they still retain hope. They feel Lincoln has let them down, but remain optimistic about the future, believing that the next generations will carry us all forward.

Two main themes found in the report are Homes not Houses and Third Spaces.

Homes, not houses.

The report highlights the pressing housing challenges young people face in Lincoln, emphasising their desire for living spaces they can call home. Despite the relatively lower housing costs compared to other cities, affordability remains a critical issue. Young residents struggle with poor housing quality, high costs, and a lack of adequate support, leaving many feeling vulnerable to homelessness. Assistance primarily focuses on the most at-risk individuals.

Key concerns include the prohibitive nature of current housing prices alongside the lack of supportive services for those with mental health issues or those transitioning to independent living. Many young people feel the weight of unfair restrictions tied to "supported" accommodation, which creates discrepancies in housing benefits for employed people. Additionally, there is a noticeable absence of neighbourly connections within the community, and a troubling contradiction exists between high rental prices and the scepticism surrounding the ability to manage a mortgage. The issue of insufficient housing, particularly social housing, is attributed mainly to short-sighted policy decisions.

Third spaces

The report emphasises the necessity for inclusive third spaces in Lincoln City Centre to foster safety and vibrancy for young people. They just want a place to go and just exist without having to pay for anything or having time constraints.

The limited availability of social and cultural venues has led to a largely negative perception among young residents, with McDonald's being regarded as the only affordable option. Accessibility challenges, particularly for neurodiverse individuals, and the high costs associated with new developments further exacerbate issues of displacement.

Safety concerns related to visible drug abuse and antisocial behaviour, coupled with a lack of job opportunities and inadequate public transport, contribute to this negative environment. There is a pressing need for welcoming, accessible, and strategically located community spaces on public transport routes. Third spaces could be created by utilising empty, unused retail spaces. For example, St Mark's community space, known as the Link Up, uses the old Mamas and Papas, which holds great potential as a third space. Other commercial property owners could adopt a similar approach, as certain shops in Cornhill or the former Debenhams could be transformed into community hubs that foster connection and inclusivity in Lincoln.

Two orange figures sit on a couch above a crossed-out row of houses, symbolising a preference for homes over houses. — Homes not Houses graphic

What has happened since the event?

A Raising Young Voices steering group was set up in August, and since then, we've made significant strides in community initiatives. In October and February, the Future Makers group proposed revamping Cornhill to create an authentic community space. Georgia from The Network led a workshop at TEDx Brayford Pool, sharing the community Manifesto and fostering diverse participation.

The manifesto created at the event is being filmed, and talented animators and artists are collaborating on it.

Excitingly, City Hall has offered space for a mural in the corridor by our office. We plan to tackle it this summer and involve young people in the design process.

Additionally, we’re discussing capacity building, skills development, and training needs within our group, focusing on LGBTQ+ support and cultural inclusion. Our first priority is project, task, and time management to ensure effective collaboration.