THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT is preparing to take over from the adults this Friday (20 November).
Sunderland’s annual contribution to national Children’s Commissioner’s ‘Takeover Challenge’ is to give young people the opportunity to ‘shadow’ the adults at work and get involved in the decision making process.
Takeover Challenge is a national event led by the Children’s Commissioner for England which puts children and young people into decision-making roles. Organisations and businesses benefit as they gain a fresh insight into their work by listening to children’s ideas and experience.
Children and young people from schools and youth organisations from across Sunderland will be involved, in a range of events and activities arranged by Sunderland City Council and its community partners.
The programme involves young people in everything from accompanying the Deputy Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alan Emerson, on his civic duties and joining the Fire Brigade to presenting a live radio breakfast show and serving with the Salvation Army.
Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Pat Smith said: “Sunderland City Council has taken part in national ‘Takeover Day’ for almost a decade, and I’m delighted that so many of our partners in the city such as the Gentoo and community organisations help us to support this national, annual event.
“Together we have organised a range of activities to give our young people a taste of the adult world of work, which I hope they’ll both learn from and enjoy.
“Young people make a massive contribution to life in our city, and we need to involve them in working towards its future. Helping them to take part in National Takeover Challenge provides them with the opportunity to share their views and opinions with us, and hopefully provide a valuable insight into how we all work to provide services on their behalf.”
Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield added: “We can all benefit from getting involved in Takeover Challenge. Children and young people bring fresh ideas, imagination and energy to the roles they take over, and they challenge stereotypes about them that we hear too often.
“Takeover Challenge gets people to work differently and helps individuals and organisations to understand the needs of children and young people.
“I am thrilled to see thousands of children, adults and organisations have taken up the challenge and the amazing Takeovers happening in all sectors right across the country.”
Everyone benefits from Takeover Challenge. Children and young people gain an insight into the adult world and organisations benefit from a fresh perspective of their work. This year, the Children’s Commissioner is encouraging organisations to extend their Takeover to happen anytime, any day.
Takeover has grown year on year – in 2014 over 44,000 children and 1,200 organisations took part. Children and young people stepped into the shoes of hundreds of high profile figures including: MP’s, mayors, TV presenters, teachers, chief executives, senior police officers and other professionals in all walks of life.
