Birmingham's young people have shared their hopes and fears for the future in a landmark survey, sending a direct message to 10 Downing Street. Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza visited the city this week to hear from children as part of her Big Future deep dive initiative.
Commissioner's Visit to Birmingham Schools
Dame Rachel is aiming to reach hundreds of thousands of children across England to shape government decisions. "We need all of Birmingham and children across the region to fill it in," she said. The visit comes amid a major consultation on social media use and a review focusing on young people not in education, employment, or training.
During her first day, the commissioner visited Colmore Junior School in Kings Heath for a workshop led by Sampad, an organization promoting South Asian arts and heritage. She also attended Nishkam School in Handsworth, discussing growing up in Birmingham with primary and secondary pupils, and later met faith leaders at Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara.
On her second day, she visited Birmingham Children's Hospital to speak with children and families and see the new MediCinema.
Impact on Policy
The views gathered will be shared with politicians. "We are asking children about what they want for their future, what jobs they want, what they think about social media and AI," Dame Rachel said. "This is about getting children's voices right up there to the seat of power."
She noted that childhood has changed rapidly, with mental health referrals up by half a million, more time online, and increased need for school support. "The Government is trying to keep up. The decisions it makes on social media or SEND will shape growing up in England for years to come."
Previous listening led to changes in sibling contact rules for children in care, a victims' code acknowledging children's needs, and a child poverty strategy.
Survey Results and How to Participate
Dame Rachel's previous survey, The Big Ambition, found only one in five young people believe politicians listen. The Big Future survey aims to hear from children about what they love, worry about, and want to change.
Nationally representative polling of 2,000 UK children aged 6-17 by OnePoll (April 2026) revealed top worries: having enough money (43%), getting a good job (43%), having friends (42%), doing well at school (40%), health and happiness (28%), war and conflict (28%), having a good home (24%), crime (18%), climate change (14%), AI (8%), immigration (7%), and nothing (7%).
The Big Future survey is open to all children aged 0 to 18 in England until Friday 23rd October. Adults can respond on behalf of children. The survey is available online and will be sent to all schools and colleges.
