Young people shared their struggles on balancing education and their part-time jobs at a sixth form college event.
Several students said they were working two – or even three – jobs alongside their studies to try and make ends meet.
The college welcomed community leaders such as Amina Khalid, the head of the Sustainable Communities Programme at Initiatives of Change, to the event.
Ms Khalid questioned whether today’s education system sufficiently equips students to deal with economic hardship.
She asked: “Is what’s being taught in the classroom enough?”
She said that young people needed more help to tackle these challenges: “At a time like this, we need to be more compassionate.”
The ‘Have your Say Event’ is hosted annually by Councillor Michael Desmond, and gives students the opportunity to express their opinions on current issues and voice any concerns they may have.
Speaking to the students, panel participant and local restaurant owner Atique Choudhury said: “The future of this country is dependent on people like yourselves.”
The panel also touched on climate change and Councillor Clare Joseph spoke about the necessity for large corporations to “take responsibility” and address the role they play in the climate crisis.
Ms Khalid emphasised how important it is for individuals to do whatever they can to help tackle the crisis: “If it’s not affecting us today, it will affect us tomorrow.”
