A delegation from Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA) is heading to Westminster on Tuesday, 4 November to make sure the voices of Cumbrian young people are heard at the heart of government.
The visit, taking place during National Youth Work Week (3-9 November), will also see the charity’s youth workers, young ambassadors, staff and trustees showcase the charity’s impact and make a case for more support.
The group will meet 100 MPs, commissioners, funders and policy makers to share stories from one of England’s largest rural counties. They will be calling for investment in youth services to ensure 11-25-year-olds have safe spaces, support networks, and opportunities to thrive.
CYA’s CEO Becky Wolstenholme said:
“Youth work changes lives — but it needs proper support to reach all young people who need help. We want Westminster to understand the unique challenges 11-25 year olds face in our towns and villages and the difference well-supported youth work makes.”
Travelling to the event is youth worker, Jade Clifford of iCan Wellbeing in Carlisle, who said:
“I’m thrilled to be speaking at Parliament, sharing my work in Cumbria as a young person, representing CYA’s community impact, and highlighting the amazing professional development and projects I’ve experienced with their support.”
Also attending the event is youth development worker, Elliot Riley, who said:
“I’m deeply grateful for where I’ve come from. I’ve been where many young people are, and now I’m turning those experiences into action that helps ignite better futures for others.”
Mark Libby, Chair of CYA, said:
“This is about making sure Westminster understands what it’s really like to grow up in Cumbria. While there is much to celebrate, today’s young Cumbrians face a complex mix of pressures. These include mental health struggles, educational disruption, employment, the cost of living, poverty, and limited rural transport that isolates many from essential services. Our young people have incredible potential — they just need the right support so that no young person is left behind.”
The evening reception is being held in the Churchill Room, in the House of Commons, and is sponsored by Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
This year, CYA is celebrating 25 years of supporting young people across Cumbria. In that time, the charity has worked with more than 100,000 people aged 11–25, helping them to build confidence, promote wellbeing, and improve access to education, training, and employment.
Partnering with schools, councils, and community organisations, CYA delivers a wide range of programmes for young people from all backgrounds to build confidence, skills, and brighter futures, including those with additional or unmet needs. Alongside this direct work, CYA drives wider system change by sharing best practices and developing tools that strengthen the youth sector across Cumbria and beyond.
