Young People from North Liverpool Unite to Shape an Anti-Racist Future
53 young people from across North Liverpool came together last Wednesday to lead honest, hopeful conversations about racism, belonging, and the kind of Liverpool they want to grow up in.
Hosted by Positive Futures Liverpool, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Walton Youth and Community Project, and Sports Alive, the This Is Our Liverpool event placed young voices at the centre of a powerful evening of conversation, creativity, and co-creation.
While many of the young people came from similar backgrounds, what connected them was their shared identity as young people growing up in North Liverpool, and a desire for a city that is fairer, kinder and safer for everyone.
“It’s not just about listening, it’s about trusting young people to lead.”
Throughout the evening, young people took part in group discussions, creative workshops, live podcasting, and digital feedback sessions – exploring what anti-racism looks like in real life, not just policy. They didn’t just attend, they led. From co-hosting the event, to podcasting, facilitating, vlogging, and documenting, young people were at the heart of every part of the process.
“When young people talk about racism, they’re not theorising, they’re telling the truth about their lives. What we saw last week was young leadership, community pride and a clear vision for change.”
Hannah Allen, Group CEO of Positive Futures.
Expert-Led, Youth-Driven
The evening was facilitated by a panel of experienced practitioners and academics, including:
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Lesley Dixon, Youth Work Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University
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Paul Olubayo (He/Him/His), Anti-Racism Action Plan Lead, Liverpool City Council
- Bep Dhaliwal, Associate, Inclusivitii
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Rhiannon Corcoran, Professor of Psychology and Public Mental Health, University of Liverpool
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Hannah Allen, Group CEO, Positive Futures
Their role: to listen, hold space, and support young people to shape their own answers.
“Working with these young people, was an ever-present reminder of why the future of Liverpool needs to centre anti-racism. It was so inspiring to see their passion, commitment and drive for a fairer, more inclusive city”
Paul Olubayo, Anti-Racism Action Plan Lead, Liverpool City Council
Event Snapshot:
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Date: Wednesday 17 July 2025
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Venue: Positive Futures, 181 Townsend Avenue, Norris Green
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Attended by: 53 young people from across North Liverpool
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Hosted by: Darren Simpson & young co-host
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Activities: Group discussions, Mentimeter feedback, live podcasting & vlogging
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Partners: Liverpool City Council, Walton Youth and Community Project, Sports Alive, LJMU, University of Liverpool, The Venny Speake
“It was a real privilege to work alongside so many passionate and like-minded professionals, but the real power of the evening came from the young people themselves. Their voices weren’t just heard — they led. When it comes to shaping anti-racist policy, the youth’s voice must be at the centre. They live the realities, they understand the challenges, and they hold the solutions.”
Darren Simpson, Youth & Community Manager, Walton Youth & Community Project
What They Told Us:
Young people called for:
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Real accountability when racism happens — not silence
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More education in schools about identity, inclusion and history
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Safer spaces to come together across backgrounds
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Community-led solutions, not top-down decisions
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A city where “everyone is respected and no one feels judged or unsafe.”
A real-time word cloud projected at the end of the session captured their collective vision: a Liverpool built on fairness, unity, action and care.
