Have you got something to say about where you live? Do you want something to change?
Make your voice heard.
If you’ve got any ideas, questions or suggestions about your town, school, public transport, sports facilities, youth clubs or any other issue, there are loads of ways that you can use your voice.
Speak to your local youth workers
You can ring or text anytime, if we're not available please leave us a message and we'll get back in touch during office hours.
- Heywood and Middleton youth worker: 07527 385 767
- Littleborough, Wardle, Milnrow and Smallbridge youth worker: 07854 314 250
- Rochdale youth worker: 07929 379 855
Alternatively, you can use the Youth Service contact details on this page.
Join our Childrens' Council or Youth Cabinet
You can take part in meetings with other young people and look at the issues in your area.
- 8-11 year olds - can join our Childrens' Council. They meet every Saturday at the Matthew Moss Youth Centre in Rochdale. New members are always welcome.
- 11-19 year olds - can join a Youth Cabinet forum. Meetings take place every 2 weeks, usually between 6pm-8pm, across the borough.
To find out more, get in touch using the contact details on this page.
Become a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP)
If you’re interested in representing the views of all the borough’s young people, you can run in the annual election for a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP).
Be a Children's Champion
Children's Champions and deputies are elected to speak on behalf of children from all over the borough of Rochdale and work to improve lives and services for children.
Our 2024 Children's Champions Maisy Heaton (Heywood and Middleton) and Harry Milne (Rochdale and Pennines) worked hard on policies like:
- Improving parks and providing more football pitches across the borough of Rochdale
- Providing more youth clubs and getting more people involved in the community
- Improving mental health support
- Stopping children from being punished during lunch and break times
Elections take part in schools and youth clubs across the borough. Find a youth club
Children’s Champion elections will start in March 2025. We'll update this page with more information.
Come to a 'Tell Us' session
Every 3 months, politicians and senior officers from the council, police, health and transport departments meet with young people to talk about the things that matter to you. It’s your chance to talk to the top decision-makers about whatever you want.
The sessions are arranged through the Youth Service and take place in a different part of the borough each time.
Get in touch using the contact details on this page to find out more.
Meet the 'Listen Up' group
We run our 'Listen Up' group with the Children’s Society.
We meet every month to discuss working to make young people's lives in care better.
Young people can join in and let us know how we can make services for young people in the borough better.
To find out more, phone the Rochdale Children’s Society on 01706 345 600
Take part in the Mayor's youth awards
The Mayor of Rochdale holds a youth awards ceremony every year in recognition of young people’s achievements and contributions to their peers and local communities.
The awards are open to anyone aged 11-19, or up to 25 if they have a disability, and live in the borough of Rochdale.