HY5! take to national stage at youth conference

A group of young people represented Wolverhampton on the national stage at a major conference at the NEC last week.

Organised by the Council for Disabled Children, the Youth Voice Matters Conference 2026 brought together young people with lived experience of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from across the country, including members of Wolverhampton's HY5! Youth Forum.

The theme of this year's event was youth citizenship, with delegates exploring a number of themes including how they can work together with other young people across the country to talk to and work with decision-makers to create change, and how they can share their skills and power with other young people.

The members of HY5! also got to meet and speak with Georgia Gould OBE MP, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards), who wanted to hear from young people about how SEND support could be improved, and how school buildings could be made more accessible and welcoming.  

Harman Kambo, Vice Chair of HY5!, said: "It was good we got a meeting with a minister from the Houses of Parliament. I liked the workshops, and also meeting with new people and youth organisations."

Fellow forum member Ne-yo Makombe said his highlight was getting to meet lots of new young people – and being invited to close the event by saying: "We are like one big family and together we are stronger. Making change isn’t just about you or me, it's about all of us."

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "HY5! is more than a forum – it’s a movement led by young people with SEND who are determined to make Wolverhampton a more inclusive, understanding, and empowering place for everyone.

"Their insights are helping to shape a city where every young person – regardless of ability – can thrive, and it was great that they were able to share their views on a national stage and with the Minister for School Standards."

To find out more about HY5! and how young people and families can get involved, please visit www.localofferwolves.co.uk/feedback/get-involved.

Members of the HY5! Youth Forum with Georgia Gould OBE MP, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) at last week's Youth Voice Matters Conference 2026.