On Thursday evening, the Foundry hosted ‘Your City, Your Voice Matters’, a meeting bringing together the SU Council, Sheffield City Council, and various community organizations to address young people’s concerns.
The event was opened by Brian Holmshaw, Chair of the Local Area Committee, and featured groups such as Community Youth Services, Sheffield Mind, South Yorkshire Police, and 1625 Outreach. SU President Daisy Watson told Forge: “I was really keen to get City Council here, especially on this topic surrounding young people’s concerns.”
The evening allowed young people to voice concerns on issues like student safety, cost of living, mental health, and work opportunities. International students were frequently mentioned, with calls for more inclusivity and better support. The possible revival of Sheffield’s ‘Safe Square’ and increasing student discounts were also discussed.
During feedback, one young person noted that while the City Council did well, future meetings should aim to engage a broader range of students, or risk attracting the same group each time.
A key topic was the work-life balance struggle. Students shared how juggling jobs and academic demands leads to stress and burnout, putting extra pressure on support services. Nadya Ghani, Welfare and Sustainability Officer, explained: “There is a cycle; tackling one of these issues will be helpful for the rest.”
Brian Chigara, 1625 Outreach, emphasized the importance of safe substance use in maintaining a ‘happy student lifestyle,’ while Monty Nicovic, SU Sociology Councillor, encouraged students to engage more with the city: “It’s good to get involved and leave the student bubble.”
The event highlighted the need for continued collaboration between students, local organizations, and the city to address the challenges young people face. The next event will be held in February in Hillsborough, focusing on food growing and allotments.
