Young people in Lewisham have launched a new Youth Council at Phoenix Community Housing to influence decisions that impact them and the community.

The Youth Council, who held their inaugural meeting on Wednesday 17 November at The Green Man, formed after the Phoenix youth group #BEin presented to Phoenix’s Board for younger residents to have a direct say on the decisions made by their landlord.

Zhane Lunan, member of the Phoenix Youth Council and the youth group #BEin, said: “This is an exciting time as it’s the first occasion where young people are represented at governance level. We live in the community and should have a say on the decisions made at Phoenix. We now have the opportunity to make a real difference for future generations.”

At the first session, members received training in meeting preparation, chairing and governance to help them prepare for their new role at Phoenix.

The Youth Council will see members discussing issues including safer communities, cleaner air and more opportunities for the younger generation in the area.

Jim Ripley, Chief Executive of Phoenix Community Housing said: “As a resident-led organisation it’s important that we the listen to the views of everyone. The Youth Council will challenge us to think differently and bring a perspective to the Board which is often missing in our sector. We believe in the young people of Lewisham, they are the future.”

Phoenix was set up in 2007 as the first resident-led housing association in London and has always recognised that young people were underrepresented in their governance structure.

The youth group #BEin was set up in 2018 to involve younger residents in the community and the Youth Council is the next step for young people who want to have a more formal impact at Phoenix.

The Youth Council will meet four times a year and will play an active part in shaping policies and making recommendations which feed into the Board at Phoenix.

Their input will also help to influence events in the community and will provide a route for all areas of Phoenix to consult with younger residents.

Members of the Youth Council are encouraged to enrol at Phoenix’s school of social housing, the Phoenix Academy, which aims to support more residents to take up future positions on the resident-led Board. Of the 205 previous graduates of the academy, five have taken up positions on the Phoenix Board.