Aged 11 to 18? We are recruiting new members to the Youth Panel now!
Would you like to help?
You can buy new computer components and send them to us to help us build and repair computers! Components start at £5.
About the Panel
Our members speak to the most influential leaders in our region
This includes working with local councils (district, city and parish councils) as well as members of parliament. We give advice and guidance on all matters that affect young people to the key individuals who make the important decisions in our region.
We formed in June 2016
The group has been running successfully since June 2016 - so we are approaching our fifth anniversary! The group was initially setup to advise the police (Cambridgeshire Constabulary) under the name 'East Cambs Youth Consultation Panel'. Since then we have been approached by several councils, political leaders and others who have chosen to work with us to improve our region.
We are an example of active citizenship
We look for the issues that need to be addressed and we do something about those issues. Recently that has meant getting more than 1000 computers to children and young people in repeated lockdowns, and the mental health issues associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Every Panel Members is empowered to bring any issue to the discussion, and the Panel meets at least once a month to address those topics.
Arms Around the World
Postponed due to COVID-19
Our young people and panel members have been working tirelessly since the tragic incident of the 14th February 2018, to bring 8 students and 2 chaperones from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to our region.
The purpose of this is to create an international response to most serious violence from within young communities.
Sadly this work has been postponed out of necessity due to the COVID-19 crisis both at home and abroad.
We remain dedicated to this project and we will make it happen.
We remain mindful of those students who lost their lives in Parkland, Florida and we will never forget them.
If you are a student in Parkland reading this - please understand that this initiative will take place as soon as the world is turning normally again.
In the meanwhile we are directing our efforts to immediate concerns within our local community connected to COVID-19 and families most in need of our support.
We work with everyone
Conservative Party
We are not politically aligned but our region is politically diverse. The Conservative party is the main party of government and is represented in our region by Lucy Frazer QC MP [East Cambs] and Anthony Browne MP [South Cambs]. We have a a number of Conservative local councillors - such as Anna Bailey in Ely. We are happy and proud to work with all of these elected individuals.
Labour Party
The Labour Party is the main elected party of opposition in the UK. They are represented in our region in Cambridge City by Daniel Zeichner MP and we were delighted to sit down with Daniel to talk about how we can support his constituency in the City and how he can help young people. We are not affiliated with the Labour Party.
Other main political parties
Cambridgeshire is home to a number of political parties and movements.
The Liberal Democrat party is also strongly represented in Cambridgeshire - and particularly in South Cambs. Councillor Christine Wheelan has been an incredible support to us and we are hugely grateful to her for her contribution.
Religious Diversity & Freedom
Freedom to Believe
A number of our members choose to self define as Christian - be that as Catholic, with the Church England or by other means. We also have representation from the Islamic community in Cambridge too. A number of our members do not align themselves with any significant religious movement.
We support the right to believe or not believe - and the importance of peaceful coexistance between those who do and do not believe.
We do not currently have representatives of the other major world faiths and we are keen to invite young people from Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other communities to join us. We will make you feel welcome!
We want to express particular gratitude to the Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia who, through their charitable organisation Caritas, donated £2,500 to the 'Arms Around the World' programme.
Additionally we also want to express our gratitude to the Bishop of Ely and the Church of England who donated £200 to the same project.
We know that we are living in times of great need - and austerity has been hard on lots of people and lots of groups. For this reason we are very grateful to both Churches for the support and faith they have invested in our young people.
Learn More
You can learn more about the wonderful work that Caritas do all over the world - and specifically in our local communities, by following this link:
Schools in our region
Cambourne Village College
Cambourne Village College
Cambourne Village College
Cambourne Village College has recently provided three new members to our group! We are delighted to have Cambourne VC with us - one of the most modern and forward thinking learning centres in our region.
Linton Village College
Cambourne Village College
Cambourne Village College
Linton Village College have also been a substantial contributor in our recent recruitment drive. Four new members have joined us from Linton and it's wonderful to have them on board.
North Cambridge Academy
Cambourne Village College
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
Giana is at NCA and they are a wonderful school to work with. They recently had a fundraising event to support Arms Around the World and we're delighted with everything they have done to get behind our aims.
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
The Netherhall School are now part of the Cambs Youth Panel family - and it is fantastic for us to have that presence in the Queen Ediths area of Cambridge.
Littleport & East Cambs Academy
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
Littleport & East Cambs Academy
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LECA had a non-uniform day for us and raised £200. We're currently recruiting members for this school to come and represent their friends and community!
Your School?
The Netherhall School, Cambridge
Littleport & East Cambs Academy
If you are a teacher or a student at a school in Cambridgeshire (Hunts, East Cambs, South Cambs or Cambridge City) and your school isn't here - why not?! We need you to get in touch with us ASAP. Get involved!
More than 1000 computers delivered!
For the latest news on what we are doing and to keep up with how it's going remember to follow us on twitter @CambsYouthPanel. We always follow back. :-)