Children have the answers

That's the belief of Professor Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England, who played an active part in a day involving more than 250 pupils from nursery, primary and secondary schools across the city at The Deep.

He told the children: "Your views do matter and are important to us. I've seen the fantastic things going on here in Hull - and there's a lot of effort to make sure that no child will be left behind."

When not busy African drumming, Bollywood dancing, comic drawing and mask making as part of the many workshops on offer all around The Deep, the event gave children a chance to tell adults their views about a range of issues, including bullying, feeling safe and places to play.

These views are currently being used to help shape the way that services for children and young people will develop over the next two years.

These will be set out in the city's Children and Young People's Plan, to be published next month.

Comments from children on the day included:

• "It was really good 'cos you got to do stuff that you don't usually do and you got to talk about stuff that really matters"
• "Everyone should be happy and feel safe from bullies"
• "We need more parks near our homes"
• "We need more things to do which are cheap and open at weekends"
• "We need more people working together and more people to tell about bullying"
• "We would have more fun if children could have more of a say in things"
• "We're people too and we need to be listened to"

All the children who attended the event have been invited to send in their views on what matters most to them.

"It wouldn't make sense to develop services without talking and listening to children and young people first," said Nigel Richardson, Director of Children and Young People's Services at Hull City Council.

Cllr Sheila Waudby, lead member for Children's Services in the city, said: "We want to make sure children have recreational and leisure activities to provide them with stimulating and challenging opportunities to explore and develop their abilities."