Looking ahead to National Children's Day UK this Sunday, 16 May, Rutland County Council is reminding children and young people to have their say as part of the Future Rutland Conversation.

The Future Rutland Conversation was launched in April and is a chance for families, businesses and visitors to the county to comment on a range of important issues. By gathering this feedback from people of all ages and backgrounds, the Council hopes to produce a new shared vision for the county.

Since the eight-week Conversation began, the Council has welcomed views from people of all ages and different life stages. There is even a special area online designed for children and young people, featuring fun activities, puzzles and a photo competition. There are also three surveys for groups of children aged 10 or younger, 11-16 year-olds and 16-18 year olds to 'tell us what you think'.

The questions range from 'what you like about Rutland' to most-enjoyed activities, getting around, helping the environment, and hopes or ambitions for the future.

Councillor David Wilby, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Among the key things we want to hear about from our children and young people is what matters most to them, and what could be done about making Rutland a better place to live. This Conversation is all about understanding what really matters to everyone who lives here and capturing their aspirations for the county's future. That's why it is so important that our younger generation is part of creating the vision of a Future Rutland. Everyone's voice counts, so please get involved.

"It's a timely opportunity to tell us about the things they care about – and especially about the impact that COVID may have had on their lives. National Children's Day UK (NCDUK) is all about the importance of a healthy childhood, and how we need to protect the rights and freedoms of children and young people in order to ensure that they can become happy, caring and connected adults. Plus this week leading up to NCDUK 2021 is Mental Health Awareness Week, so we support and share national concerns about the huge impact of COVID on children's long-term health and wellbeing – and what we can do about it."

The children and young people's area of the Future Rutland Conversation can be found online at: future.rutland.gov.uk.

There is also a series of live virtual conversations, where groups of up to 15 people will focus on one of the themes within the Future Rutland Conversation. Everyone is welcome to come along, and families can join in together if they would like to. More details at future.rutland.gov.uk/live-virtual-conversations.

As part of the Future Rutland Conversation, the Council is also asking adults throughout the county about what drives them to learn, any barriers to learning or fulfilling ambitions, what impact the COVID pandemic has had, and how learning and working might change after COVID 19 restrictions are lifted: future.rutland.gov.uk/future-rutland-conversation/survey_tools/learning-skills-and-employment