The Legacy Youth Board is made up and led by a committed group of 18-25 year olds, from the 4 hosting boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. They signify diversity in age, as well as ethnicity, gender and lived experiences. The project harnesses young people's interest and enthusiasm, and enables them to make a valuable contribution to London Legacy Development Corporation and the regeneration of east London. 

We caught up with Joshua Dickinson, one of the 11 members that make up the Legacy Youth Board, ahead of their yearly youth conference Future Me, Future You . 

Tell me a bit about yourself and your background?

I am wheelchair user from Waltham Forest, I am an ex travel and tourism student and I studied the Park as part of this. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a great local resource that allows people to do many different activities e.g it's a great place to walk around or to go for a drink.

What made you want to join Legacy Youth Board?

I initially joined the Legacy Youth Voice in 2014. I saw joining the board as a great opportunity for my own personal development, while still being able to have an impact on the Park. 

What is Legacy Youth Board and what does the board do? 

The Legacy Youth Board is made up of 11 young aged between 18 and 25 from the 4 Olympic boroughs. 

The board mainly advises LLDC from a youth perspective as well taking on its own project such as the youth conference this was held for the first time in 2019.

How many members are there of the board?

We always recruit each year for 11 members in total.

How has Covid effected Legacy Youth Board, has it changed anything? 

The main way that the board has been affected by covid is that, the board was planning to hold the youth conference again. obviously, we have had all the challenges that come with trying to organise an event in these times, this is the main thing that the board is working on at the moment.

How can someone become and member of LYB? 

They will need to go through an application process and then if they are successful with that they will be shortlisted for an interview. The application is slightly different depending on whether you are an internal or external candidate.

How is the best way for someone to get in contact with the board if they have any questions? 

The board have a page on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website if the question is not answered on there, then the best way is to email Layla Conway.

What is your favourite part of the Park?

I think the best thing about the Park is that it is great for East Londoners to have such a large green space suitable for all ages where such a wide range of activates can be carried out.

The Board will be hosting their Youth conference on 18 March. Future Me, Future Youth aims to amplify the voices and views of young people from east London to build a sense of hope and aspiration. For more information on the Future Me, Future Youth conference visit here.