St Ives Teens and Young Adults Get a Say in Town’s Future

St Ives is taking significant steps to ensure that its young residents have a say in the town’s future, thanks to the introduction of a new youth engagement programme. Laura Peach and Rosana Cox have been appointed as Youth Engagement Project Officers, a role created through joint funding from the St Ives Town Deal Board and St Ives Town Council. This role aims to connect young people aged 11 to 25 with the ongoing Town Deal projects, as well as broader youth-related initiatives across the parish.

Bringing Young Voices to the Forefront

Laura and Rosana, who officially joined the Town Council in June, are eager to leverage their backgrounds in education to make a tangible impact on the lives of St Ives’ youth. Both officers are committed to ensuring that young people are not just heard but actively involved in the development projects that will shape the town’s future.

“Engaging young people is a huge priority for the Town Council,” said Emma Gibson, Head of Culture and Community. Before the pandemic, the Council hosted the first Youth Summit for West Cornwall, underscoring the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes. Now, with Laura and Rosana in their new roles, the Council aims to place young people at the heart of the Town Deal programme.

A Diverse Range of Projects

The St Ives Town Deal, which secured up to £19.9 million in funding as part of the UK Government’s Town Deals programme, includes nine key projects. These projects span from arts and culture to transport and housing, all of which Laura and Rosana will help “youth-proof” by making them more accessible and relevant to the younger population.

Rosana is currently working with initiatives such as Kidz R Us, the Community Orchard, and the Low Carbon Transport Strategy, while Laura is involved with projects like Leach Pottery, the Digital Trail, and the Rugby Club housing project. Each officer is liaising with different projects to ensure they align with the interests and needs of the youth.

“Our aim is to make all these projects more relevant and accessible for young people and ensure that they are delivering outcomes which will benefit them in the future,” said Rosana.

Building a Lasting Legacy

Both Laura and Rosana are passionate about empowering young people and are dedicated to creating lasting changes that will benefit future generations in St Ives. Laura, who has a background in teaching art and technology, is particularly excited about the potential to bring the town’s young people together to take advantage of the opportunities available.

Rosana, a mother of four with experience in humanities and environmental education, shares this enthusiasm. She is particularly passionate about engaging with the town’s youth through creative outlets like music and poetry. Both officers are committed to listening to young people and ensuring their voices are respected and valued in the community.

As they continue their work, Laura and Rosana have already begun reaching out to local schools, Town Deal Board members, and Town Councillors. Their immediate focus is to gather input from young people in St Ives about what they want to see happen in their town, ensuring that the projects they develop will truly resonate with the younger generation.

This new engagement effort in St Ives is part of a broader movement across the UK under the Town Deals programme, which aims to regenerate towns and promote long-term economic growth. With the involvement of St Ives’ youth, the town’s future looks set to be shaped by those who will live with the results.

Cornwall’s Role in the Town Deals Programme

The St Ives Town Deal is part of a larger initiative that includes four towns in Cornwall—Camborne, Penzance, St Ives, and Truro. Collectively, these towns will receive up to £88.7 million in funding from the UK Government’s Town Deals programme. Cornwall Council, the Lead Authority for the Town Deals, supports the governance of these projects and is responsible for administering the funds.

For more information on the St Ives Town Deal and the broader Town Deals programme, visit St Ives Town Deal or Cornwall Council.