Young people shaping the future of Kington

In 2021/22 Rural Media’s Point of View (P.O.V.) programme creatively consulted 150 young people living in and around the Herefordshire market town of Kington. We were tasked with finding out what young people living locally feel about their rural town and how they’re going to shape it’s future.

“What I love about living here is the same as what I hate about living here, I mean, I love that it is in the middle of nowhere and you can walk for five minutes, and you are in the countryside and there is no one else around and then I hate that it is in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing here.”

P.O.V. is opening up these conversations to support Open Arms Kington, a community group working towards Kington’s social and economic regeneration.

During the Covid lockdowns we used an online survey, Zoom interviews and socially distanced street outreach to ask 13-24 year olds about hobbies, school, work, access to services, challenges being faced and hopes for the future. The incredibly rich answers have helped build a better picture of how young people can shape the town of Kington.

To find out more about P.O.V. - which is running activity across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, seeking to empower young people to use their voices and share their stories to influence change - contact Lauren Rogers at laurenr@ruralmedia.co.uk or 01432 344039/07729920681.

Read more about Open Arms Kington at www.openarmskington.co.uk.

Spring 2023 update: The Oxford Arms is now proudly owned by Open Arms Kington! The group has been successful in securing funds to buy the pub which they’ll now transform into a community hub, complete with youth-led space and activity. Follow their journey at @Openarmskington on Instagram.

Featured
The P word
The P word

P.O.V. has proven just how many rural young people are passionate about systemic change, social justice and equity, but without clear pathways or unbiased support to navigate the nuances (and party alliegences) of politics, I can’t see droves of rural young people heading to the polls at the next GE.

Press Kit
Press Kit

In this Press Kit for the P.O.V. podcast series, you’ll find downloadable audio files, high-res behind the scenes images, quotes and useful links.

The ideas are pouring out in Kington…
The ideas are pouring out in Kington…

They are thoughtful and insightful about the size of the town, the needs of not just themselves but other young people too.

Young Creatives takeover at old Argos store in Hereford
Young Creatives takeover at old Argos store in Hereford

Parkour, poetry and a chance to see the P.O.V. Portraits exhibition

This student council has something to say
This student council has something to say

Passionate about making change happen, here’s what Fairfield student council has on their agenda.

Introducing the Young Leaders programme
Introducing the Young Leaders programme

The Young Leaders group will steer and shape the future of the Point of View project.

Supporting young people with a special education need or disability
Supporting young people with a special education need or disability

What started as a health crisis will become an economic and employment crisis with young people and those with SEND being the most disadvantaged.

Viewpoint - sharing the P.O.V. survey results
Viewpoint - sharing the P.O.V. survey results

On March 31, we’ll be sharing the key results of this countywide consultation, and shed more light on what comes next, on Zoom.