left to right, are Alison Baggs, Participation Officer, Sarah Reynolds, SEND Early Identification, Helen Taylor, Head of SEND and Inclusion, Shama Hussain, Chloe Lambert, Ellie Parker Brewer and Ne-yo Makombe, all HY5! ambassadors, Alison Hinds, Co Chair SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board, Ellis Lees Griffiths and Dhiren Kumar, both HY5! ambassadors, Andrew Scragg, Participation Officer, Megan Baynham, Kieran Smith-Mills and Harman Kambo, all HY5! ambassadors, Paul Tulley, Co Chair SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board, Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Dr Cathy Higgins, Divisional Medical Director/Consultant Paediatrician, Pate Tate, SEND Advisor, Lucy Newman, SEND Advanced Practitioner, and Hannah Bradley, Co-production and Youth Engagement Team Manager
Members of The HY5! Youth Forum welcomed Wolverhampton SEND & Inclusion Partnership Board to celebrate a year of shared achievements and meaningful collaboration.
The event was a celebration of co-production in action — where young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) came together with strategic leaders to reflect on their proudest moments and the positive changes they’ve helped shape.
The event showcased the work that members of HY5!, along with ambassadors from Broadmeadow Special School, have been doing in a number of key priority areas – creating good quality, accessible and inclusive places and spaces, getting good quality help from well trained workers, and developing good services that enable young people to live their life the way they want.
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 passion, insight and courage is helping to shape a city where every young person – regardless of ability – can thrive.
“By working in co-production with strategic colleagues we are able to make changes where it matters most, aiming to create better futures for young people and their families.
“The event was a chance to reflect on these achievements, strengthen partnerships and look ahead to the next chapter of youth-led change in Wolverhampton.”
To find out more about HY5! and how young people and families can get involved, please visit Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer.