Independent North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll, has promised that as North East Mayor he’ll provide a ‘Bright Start’ for children in the region.
Highlighting a package of pledges for young people, Jamie Driscoll said:
“The jobs and opportunities of tomorrow will not be grasped by the kids who are too hungry to learn today. Providing a ‘Bright Start’ for our youngsters will help us all.”
Youth Voice
In a new policy announcement Mayor Driscoll said,
“I will fund a Youth Voice programme – including in the towns and villages away from the city centres.This will be a network of arts and youth practitioners, and support for existing local groups.
“I want our young people to tell their stories. To be proud of their home town. It might be music, acting, spoken word, or even painting murals on public buildings. Feeling you have a voice changes your life.
“As North of Tyne Mayor, I’ve funded work in 279 schools. Everything from oracy programmes to whole school mental health support to after school clubs. I’ve delivered a groundbreaking Child Poverty Prevention Programme tackling school uniform poverty and giving welfare rights advice.
“As North East Mayor I would expand these programmes across the entire region so no child is left behind. I’ll bring together schools and employers to give every child a career pathway the moment they leave school.
“I’ll continue to campaign against the cruel two-child benefit cap that keeps 45,000 North East kids in poverty. I’ll also work with our local councils to make sure everyone who is entitled to free school meals gets them.
“You can’t level up with concrete. Investment in our young people will power our economy and shape our future. I’ll give them the ‘Bright Start’ they deserve.”
