A GROUP of young volunteers are in New York to address the United Nations about the work of the Barnardo’s SECOS (Sexual Exploitation Children’s Outreach Service) in Middlesbrough.

They will address the UN Commission on the Status of Women about the empowerment of women.

The four young volunteers will be providing their views and giving talks so that the voice of young people in the UK is heard.

SECOS manager Elizabeth Phillips said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the group to meet other young people from around the globe. Thousands of activists from around the world make great efforts to be there and it is only those who are most active in their organisation can go – and out of all of those attendees only a few actually are asked to make presentations.”

The group will be in the US for a week accompanied by Barnardo’s staff.