Inaugural Dagenham & Rainham Youth Conference 2025

On Friday 14 March Margaret Mullane MP hosted the inaugural Dagenham and Rainham Youth Conference at the UCL PEARL in Dagenham East. Attended by groups from secondary schools and colleges across the constituency, Margaret said it “provided an opportunity for young people to help shape the future of our area.”

Guest speakers at the event ranged from Claire Hough, an entrepreneurial dancer who has performed at the Brit Awards, to Olympic and now professional boxer Billy ‘Boom Boom’ Adams, Elevate Her, The Habbit Factory, and Hope Not Hate.

Margaret explained: “The theme of the day was very much about aspiration. Too often when we talk about opportunities, they are presented with the aim of moving young people away from crime, rather than on finding a career path, stability and success. I hope meeting and hearing from the guest speakers has inspired the next generation in Dagenham and Rainham; the scientists, doctors, engineers, and politicians of the future.”

Following the presentations attendees took part in a workshop asking, ‘what are the three biggest issues facing young people today?’ ‘If you could change one thing about the area tomorrow, what would it be?’ and ‘what do you want to do after education?’ The feedback overwhelmingly pointed toward safety both physical and online being a major concern for young people, more varied and skilled jobs for the future was a key ask, and there was a wide array of ambitious dreams for a life after education.

Margaret concluded: “The event was a resounding success, and I will be feeding the responses into the ‘Deliver You’ National Youth Strategy currently being consulted on by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. I am determined that voices from Dagenham and Rainham do not get lost as we forge a better future for Britain. The overriding message of the day was that it isn’t always easy, but with determination and drive it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can achieve your goals.”

The Deliver You, National Youth Strategy consultation has now launched, and all young people aged 10-21 are being encouraged to take part. Find the survey and have your say here: https://www.iwill.org.uk/nys-deliver-you/