Spring 2020 Update - What's going on at EYV

Exmoor Young Voices New Developments

It's been an exciting few months for EYV, so we thought we'd put together a bit of a catch up post so you can see what we've been up to...
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New EYV coordinators
We kicked off the year with 2 brand new coordinators, Kerrie Wilson and Megan Hunt.
Not had chance to meet them yet? Head over to our introductory blog post to learn a little bit about them.
Both are attending the Exmoor Consultative Forum on 19th March, so if you happen to be going, feel free to say hello and introduce yourself. They're a friendly pair and are keen to work closely with both Exmoor residents and members of local authorities. 

Brand new website & increased social media following
You'll know we have a new website, seeing as you're reading this blog post but have you taken the time to look around properly? We'll be adding more and more content as time goes on, so keeping popping back for regular updates.

You may have noticed, we've also been a lot more active on social media! We're keen to use it to engage with as many young residents across the moor (and on the borders) as possible. Our Facebook following has grown significantly in this first part of the year and we're also actively using Instagram & Twitter to engage with residents too. 

Summit Reunion 26th March
We're hosting our Summit Reunion in Exford this month and will be joined by representatives from local authorities, ready to pledge their commitment to making improvements for young people on Exmoor.

New sponsors
We're pleased to announce that Magna and Somerset County Council have joined us as new sponsors. Head on over to our partners page to find out which organisations help to fund and support EYV.

And that's not all! We've also achieved the following...

• Wessex Resolutions with EYV, the National Park, SWAT, Webbers and Stags are now working out how to create loans, mortgages, self build and S106 improvements for young residents
• We've contributed to presentations for CPRE to the Parliamentary Lobby and Defra
• Published in Somerset Community Foundation’s ‘Hidden Somerset’ on rural deprivation
• Affordable Housing interview to be broadcast across ITV's regional news programmes (10th March)
• Submission to the Rural Worker and Succession Farm Dwelling Guidance
• 6 training seminars with Cosmic for Exmoor’s young, digital entrepreneurs
• Travel research, transport, and the economy of young workers and residents
• Housing needs survey for SWAT
• Affordable housing survey
• EYV stands at Rural Enterprise Exmoor, Community Connect, Big Picnic
• Recruited 8 professional advisors to EYV for housing, finance, funding, self build, communications, planning, partnership and development

What's next for EYV?
So now you know what we've been up to, you're probably wondering what's going to come of it all?
It's easy to tell you about our outputs but the outcomes largely depend on organisations and local authorities adapting their policies and procedures to help young residents and workers on Exmoor.

We are keen to take a collaborative approach, do our bit and offer support in any way we can to achieve this and look forward to the upcoming Summit Reunion, where we can discuss our next moves. We'll keep you up to date with any progress we make and hope to host our next members' meeting soon after.