WINSFORD pupils joined their peers from schools across west Cheshire last week to help professionals working with children and young people gain an understanding into issues affecting them.

The Young Person's Conference, organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council's safeguarding children in education team, provided professionals with information about how young people would like to be supported around topics such as peer pressure, consent, equality, diversity and mental health.

Young people from schools across Winsford including Oaklands School for children with special educational needs, had the opportunity to share presentations based on their thoughts and experiences on topics important to them after which they got to sit down with the professionals attending to discuss them in detail.

The Oaklands School choir also sang at the event and young people from schools in Winsford, who are part of the Council’s Poverty Truth commission, presented their play about living with poverty.

Among the professionals at the event were members of the council’s Early Help and Prevention team, Special Educational Needs team, Safeguarding Children Partnership and staff from the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Cllr Nicole Meardon, cabinet member for children and families, said: "This event provides young people from across the borough with a brilliant opportunity to speak to the professionals that are there to support them.

“We want every child and young person to get the best start in life and this event gives them the opportunity to help shape services to ensure they are provided with the support that they really need.”