Bringing young voices to the table: tackling social mobility in South West England.

Opportunities shouldn’t depend on where you grow up. But for many young people in rural areas like Exmoor, access to education, training, and local jobs can feel out of reach. At Exmoor Young Voices, we work to ensure young people can live, work, and thrive in the communities they love. 
Yesterday, our Chair, Will Lock, attended the South-West Social Mobility Commission’s 3rd Annual Event at Taunton College Conference Centre. The event brought together people from business, education, and policy to tackle one of our region’s biggest challenges: poor social mobility.

A key focus of the day was exploring how we can ensure that young people across the South West (particularly those from under-resourced or rural backgrounds) can see and access the opportunities emerging as our regional economy evolves. Delegates heard directly from young people, as well as from regional businesses nurturing talent and supporting opportunities, and from leaders driving major infrastructure projects that are shaping the local economy.

Bringing Exmoor’s perspective
Through our work at Exmoor Young Voices, we hear first-hand about the challenges young people face in rural areas: limited housing options, long commutes, patchy public transport, and the struggle to find stable local employment. Too often, these barriers mean young people feel forced to leave the area they love - taking with them the energy, skills, and local knowledge that our communities need to thrive.
At the event, Will had the opportunity to share these realities and discuss actionable steps to help drive positive change.

A shared commitment to change
The South-West Social Mobility Commission’s event was more than just a conversation. It represented a shared commitment from leaders across sectors to work together on practical, lasting solutions.

Exmoor Young Voices is proud to be part of this collaborative effort, ensuring that the voices of young people in rural communities are heard loud and clear.
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A big thank you to the South-West Social Mobility Commission for hosting such an inspiring and forward-thinking event.