Adele Styles

Senior Young People's Consultation Officer, Derby City Council

Adele has given young people from across Derby the opportunity to make their views heard at the highest level. She supports the Voices in Action (ViA) youth forum in presenting its agenda to the city's Children and Young People's Executive Board. The young people get to hold the Board to account, setting them challenges around the core issues of Every Child Matters and expecting 'pledges' of action. Adele empowers young people from all walks of life to participate in ViA and in key decision-making meetings. She regularly engages young people through school councils, religious groups, youth clubs and support groups, including groups for children in care, young carers and young disabled people. Adele uses a range of innovative methods to give all young people a say such as a 'vox box', an electronic opinion meter and online social networking. Billboards by the youth forum members, challenging stereotypes, appear across Derby.