VIDEO: Young people from across the Isle of Wight gathered at Cowes Yacht Haven recently to shape decisions about the Island’s future.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Regeneration Youth Conference, attended by more than 120 students, provided the local authority with an insight into the hopes and aspirations of young Islanders.
Business leaders including Rob Kettlety of Windward Engineering in Rookley and Mark Jackson of Cowes call centre firm Ascensos took part in a question and answer session.
Inspiring speeches about Island life and sustainability were given by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UKSA and youth MP Joe Davies, while Sandown company Artecology gave a presentation about how buildings and offices could be inspired by the natural world.
Young people were asked to redesign, redevelop or regenerate a key Island site, including Sandown Seafront, Newport Harbour, Newport Town Centre and Ryde Esplanade.
Megan Turner, 15, from The Island Free School, said:
“It was a really great opportunity to work with others and to think about the possibilities for the Island’s future.
“I really enjoyed making a regeneration plan for Ryde Esplanade.”
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Senior councillors and council staff were on hand to answer questions and listen to the plans put forward by the teams.
Architectural models and plans from the conference will be used to inspire conversations and new ideas as the regeneration team work on the key sites.
Councillor Dave Stewart, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“I was really impressed to see so many young people from across the Island.
“I thought there were some brilliant ideas which we can take forward.”
