What 120 Young People Told Cornwall Youth Council at Lys Kernow

Ask a politician what young people want and you’ll get a guess. Last Friday, Cornwall Council decided to ask the young people instead.

More than 120 young people visited Lys Kernow on Friday, July 3 to share their views and ideas on the future of Cornwall.

They were taking part in the Council’s Changemakers Summit, a day of activities, workshops and presentations built around creating positive change for children and young people.

The feedback gathered will help Cornwall Youth Council shape its plans and campaigns for the next two years, with support from Cornwall Council officers and members.

Five areas up for discussion

The youth council’s five campaign areas gave the day its focus:

• Accessibility, disability and inclusion, covering SEND, young carers and sanitary items
• Increasing youth voice and support
• Transport access and freedom to travel
• Sports, leisure and safe activity spaces
• Mental health support and wellbeing

Those topics weren’t picked at random. They came from the 13,500 children and young people who voted in February’s youth council elections.

Attendees on Friday came from a spread of schools, youth voice groups and organisations across Cornwall, from Carefree Cornwall to Redruth Youth Council.

The summit follows the Council formally adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in December 2025.

“We can’t achieve that by making assumptions”

Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Cornwall Council, said the day was about listening rather than guessing.

“Our ambition is to make Cornwall a caring place where children build a bright future. We can’t achieve that by making assumptions. We only achieve it by listening to children and young people, learning from them and working alongside them. That’s exactly what the Changemakers Summit was all about,” she said.

She was struck by how the young people carried themselves.

“What impressed me most was the quality of the conversations. Young people spoke thoughtfully about the issues that matter to them, challenged us, and came forward with practical ideas for change.

“The future of Cornwall isn’t something that happens to today’s young people. It’s something we build together.”