Redbridge Youth Council
Join the Youth Council and make a difference to your borough
Are you:
- feeling that there is nothing for young people to do?
- thinking that nobody ever listens to your views?
- wishing you had more input into what happens in Redbridge?
- aged between 11 and 19 and living and/or studying in Redbridge?
Then come and join the Redbridge Youth Council.
Redbridge Youth Council
Get involved
Join the Youth Council and make a difference to your borough. We want to give young people, aged 11 to 19, in Redbridge a say on the issues that matter to them and a chance to have their voice heard. As a member of the Youth Council, you will get involved in a number of campaigns. Some recent campaigns include raising awareness of mental health in schools, writing guidelines for schools about sexual harassment and looking at raising awareness about gangs and knife culture. You do not have to be elected to be a member of the Youth Council, just come along.
We meet at Redbridge Town Hall every Monday evening during term-time. If you’d like to attend please contact us or visit our get involved page. During our sessions we discuss things that matter to you and other young people in Redbridge. We also have guests from various external agencies such as Kooth, Via and CATTs (Cancer Awareness for Teens and Twenties). The meetings are run, with your help, by our MYPs.
Redbridge - Members of Youth Parliament
Meet your newly elected Redbridge Youth Members of Parliament (MYP) and Deputy Youth Member of Parliament (DYMP)
In February 024 over, 11,000 young people aged 11-18, voted in the Redbridge Youth Elections. Here, the 3 successful candidates write about what they plan to do over their 2-year term in office.
Anusha Hussain - MYP
My initiative, targets youth food poverty through school programs promoting free meals and reducing waste. Partnering with local businesses, I aim to ensure no young person goes hungry. I advocate for mental health prioritisation and a creative, skill-focused education system, offering career exploration, mentoring, and life skills. To combat domestic and child abuse, I propose trauma-informed training in schools. As a Member of the Youth Parliament, I'm dedicated to implementing these changes in Redbridge, my home. Together, we can reshape youth narratives, provide support, and break the cycle of abuse, fostering a healthier, more empowered community.
Yusuf Shobair - MYP
Redbridge faces a pressing, youth mental health crisis. My strategy encourages all Redbridge Schools to adopt the 'Watch Your Language' program or similar. Implementing a rewards/sanctions system to deter bullying and fostering a positive environment. I'll organise stress-relief and exam workshops, extracurricular activities, and peer mentorship programs. This comprehensive education package will include form time activities, forums, and engaging events to create a mentally healthier Redbridge.
In collaboration with local authorities, schools, ‘CFR’ Ambassadors and police, I'll amplify street safety awareness. Sanctions/rewards programs will target deviant behaviours like vaping and grooming by gangs. Safety measures include partnering with the police, schools and Transport for London to make public transport safer. Teaming up with local businesses, we'll establish certified safe zones with Bystander training programs, with Community Safety. The lighting up of risky areas and implementing cameras will further ensure our youth's safety.
Disadvantaged students bear the brunt of fuel poverty. I'll collaborate with local businesses, support groups, and charities to address this through inclusive opportunities and activities. Utilising Redbridge's social media, I'll promote events, fostering a sense of community. Engagement with Hainault Youth Centre and free opportunity providers will amplify our impact on youth, addressing fuel poverty and fostering inclusivity.
Inaaya Ijaz - DYMP
As a environmentalist, my mission is to make all schools Plastic Clever. I've already pioneered this initiative at my school by removing all single-use plastic bottles. I believe it's crucial for our generation to address this now, to avoid consequences later.
As a student who recently selected GCSE subjects, I realised the importance of connecting with universities earlier to explore potential career paths before making important decisions.
I believe in learning power beyond the classroom through national and international trips, to enrich our knowledge of the world and diverse cultures.
2025 updates on the Manifesto Projects
Ilford Recorder Articles
One of the opportunities that are offered to Youth Council members, is to write an article for the Ilford Recorder Community Colum.
August 2025
For a long time now, Redbridge Youth Council has been working hard to ensure the voices of young people across our borough are heard and valued.
One of our biggest achievements has been gathering a wide range of opinions from youth all over Redbridge, particularly around the topic of safety and how young people, can build a better relationship with our local Police. Through the Safer Neighbourhood Board, we are actively involved in discussions that focus on improving communication and trust between youth and law enforcement, helping to bridge that gap that so often gets overlooked.
We have had discussions about how to make our social media platforms and official website more appealing and engaging, so we can reach more young people and grow our membership.
What makes our Youth Council really effective is the constant feedback we receive from Redbridge Officers and partner organisations, giving us updates, listening to our views, and involving us in upcoming projects that matter.
Our MYPs are fully committed to their roles and manifesto promises, working hand-in-hand with us on projects that aim to improve life for young people. Pushing for more eco-friendly schools by going plastic-free or raising awareness on key issues, we’re working together to make our Borough better.
We’re working to make our meetings even more inclusive and representative of different voices across the Borough. Our campaigns are shaped by what we hear from other young people, so we are always taking in fresh ideas. We show up, contribute, and try our best to create real change, no matter how big or small.
Joining Redbridge Youth Council is honestly one of the best things you could do if you’re passionate about improving your community. It’s not just about talking, it’s about taking action, being involved in genuine change, and working on projects that actually make a difference. Attending meetings, you get access to some amazing opportunities. It’s such a great way to meet people from all walks of life who are just as passionate as you are. We’ve created this safe space where no one judges you, everyone’s voice counts, and we all uplift each other. Whether you’re confident or a bit shy, there’s always support, and over time you build confidence without even realising it.
If you want to be part of Youth Council – email Youth.Council@redbridge.gov.uk and we will let you know about where we meet each week.
-Mariam Attarwala
Child Friendly Redbridge (CFR) Ambassadors
Redbridge understands how important young people are and so we are working with UNICEF and Redbridge young people known as Ambassadors to become a Child Friendly Borough. For more information about this check out the Child Friendly Redbridge Ambassador homepage.
For more information about the wider programme check out the Child Friendly Redbridge website.
Redbridge Youth on Instagram
For all our news follow 'Redbridge Youth' on Instagram. Our page will provide you with everything you need to know about youth services and being young in Redbridge.
We will bring you information on a range of things including:
- youth service activities
- leisure and sporting activities
- education
- training and job opportunities and much more
We want this to become the place where you get all of the information you need as a young person in Redbridge.
Get in touch with us
Contact us at youth.council@redbridge.gov.uk
