Young people from Brook launch manifesto

Published: 29 April 2015

Ahead of the general election on 7 May, young people from Brook have created a manifesto on the topics that are important to their generation.

The manifesto covers a range of health and social care issues – from a call for statutory sex and relationships education, to the need for young people specific health services – and was drawn up following values led discussions with Brook's young volunteers in London and Manchester, with volunteers all over the UK given the chance to feed in virtually.

Every issue identified in the manifesto is accompanied by actions that the Government can take to create positive change, with the ultimate aim of improving young people's health and wellbeing, and of making sure young people are at the heart of decisions made about services aimed at them.

Young volunteer Lisa, who helped compile the manifesto, said: 

“Brook young people’s manifesto should be important to politicians, because young people are exposed to peer pressure from the media and need education and support to help us work out what’s right and what’s wrong, and to set boundaries. 

“Sex and relationships education has to be made compulsory, especially for young people who are more vulnerable, like people with disabilities, young people in care, young offenders, and others.”

Naomi Sheppard, Brook's Head of Participation said:

"As a needs led and rights based organisation, young people's voice is at the heart of everything Brook does. We are delighted to have supported a diverse group of young people to produce their own manifesto, which we hope will inspire political parties to listen and act upon the views and opinions of young people. At Brook, we believe that all young people should have the right to positively engage in democracy and we look forward to hearing the responses to this manifesto."

The Brook young people's manifesto can be downloaded here. 

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
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