On 5 February, we met with local young people who would like to be part of the Smethwick Youth Forum which will play a part in shaping the future of Smethwick via the Plan for Neighbourhoods.
The opportunity to become a youth representative was launched in September 2025, inviting young people connected to Smethwick to apply and share their interest in helping influence local decisions.
At the meeting on 5 February, the youth representatives had the chance to meet one another as well as some members of the Smethwick Partnership Board.
The Youth Forum aims to work alongside the Smethwick Partnership Board to support engagement with young people and obtain their views, ideas, and priorities and support community events in the future.
Alan Taylor, Chair of the Smethwick Partnership Board, said: "This is such an exciting step forward for us in Smethwick. The Plan for Neighbourhoods is a ten-year programme, and our young people are the future generation who will carry it forward.
“Their ideas, energy and creativity are vital in shaping what Smethwick looks like over the next decade. With the support from the Youth Forum, we’re making sure they have a real voice and a leading role in making that vision happen.”
We look forward to developing the Youth Forum and to sharing updates.