Youth Engagement

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Julia Sockett was named Citizen of the Year for 2020 in the annual awards of Broseley Town Council in Shropshire. She was nominated for her contributions to the community, notably for her commitment and dedication to Broseley Covid Group, offering invaluable support and reassurance during the pandemic. NIAMH PERRINS (pictured) was named Young Citizen of the Year, for her enthusiasm and kindness in helping others during the pandemic. Deputy mayor Cllr Mark Garbett congratulated both winners and presented them with a certificate and a prize.

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2021

TALES FROM LOCKDOWN

NEWENT Town Council has produced a booklet entitled Covid-19 Children and Youth Memories. During the initial national lockdown in spring 2020, it invited pupils at local schools to recount their lockdown memories for publication. Their stories give an insight into what life in lockdown meant for them and how they dealt with it. Cllr Christine Howley, mayor of the Gloucestershire town, explained: “Realising the impact that the restrictions had on individuals and families, the council decided that the lockdown period could not pass by without some record of the effects felt by our young generation. I thank and congratulate the young contributors for their amazing stories and pictures.”

Clerks & Councils Direct January 2021

CHARITY BIKE RIDE

The young mayor of SEAFORD in East Sussex, Chanel Pritchard, completed a 30-mile bike ride on 26 September with her deputy, James Jenkins, some friends and a guardian. She undertook the sponsored ride from Seaford to Hove and back in gruelling weather conditions in aid of her chosen charity, Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex. So far she has raised over £600 for the organisation, which is marking its 30th anniversary. Chanel said: “I am very grateful for the support I had from friends and family and from everyone who has kindly donated.”

Clerks & Councils Direct November 2020

KIDS GET BUSY IN THE KITCHEN

South Workington Youth Partnership (SWYP) delivered 104 homemade meals to residents of the Cumbrian town on 21 June as part of its “Big Lunch” event. WORKINGTON Town Council had approved funding of £300, but plans to invite people to Moorclose Community Centre were scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Instead, SWYP tasked 12 children from its youth club to make four meals each and choose four vulnerable people to deliver them to. More meals were made by community centre manager Angela Good and a team of volunteers.
The children also designed a leaflet, which they distributed to vulnerable people to explain the scheme. The meals were made with help from parents and from Angela via Zoom, and included pasta bolognaise and vegetarian chow mein.
Angela commented: “The children have not only learned how to cook meals, but have also developed marketing and social skills and have done something good to help other people. I am so proud of them all, and we are planning to do the same again next year.”

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

SEAFORD YOUNG MAYOR

Chanel Pritchard has taken over from James Jenkins as young mayor of SEAFORD in East Sussex, having served previously as deputy. Despite the lockdown, she has ambitious fundraising plans in aid of her chosen charity, the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, including virtual quiz nights via social media, virtual fundraisers such as prize draws and auctions and a sponsored walk.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

Molly Taylor

YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON PARISH COUNCIL

BURTON UPON STATHER Parish Council in Lincolnshire welcomed two young residents as councillors earlier this year. Chloe Sharp (23) and Molly Taylor (18) have both lived in the village for most of their lives and attended local schools.
Molly has represented Burton Bowls Club in county competitions, winning trophies in junior events. She also competes with her dogs in Flyball, a canine relay event, and took part in Crufts with North Lincolnshire and the Young Kennel Club Team. She has completed the National Citizenship Scheme and is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, with service on the council as her voluntary work.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

Chloe Sharp

YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON PARISH COUNCIL

BURTON UPON STATHER Parish Council in Lincolnshire welcomed two young residents as councillors earlier this year. Chloe Sharp (23) and Molly Taylor (18) have both lived in the village for most of their lives and attended local schools.
Chloe studied animal management and wants to become a dog handler with the RAF police. She would like to see better facilities for dog walkers in the area, and is also concerned about the lack of public transport. The pair have only attended three face-to-face meetings since they were co-opted due to the pandemic, but are participating remotely. Both are keen to help improve the area, and the council is benefiting from having input from younger people.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

CHALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

WOUGHTON Community Council in Milton Keynes lent its support to Mental Health Awareness Week, which ran from 18–24 May and had the theme of “kindness”. Its youth team decorated pathways outside the council offices and youth centre with messages and designs in chalk, and provided free chalks and activity packs for others to get involved, marking pathways, drives and walls with words of encouragement, kindness and hope. Residents shared photos on Facebook to create a memory of how local people had responded during a difficult time.
Woughton has also provided support in other ways, according to council manager Steve McNay. By late May it had delivered 700 food parcels containing nearly four tonnes of food, along with advice and well-being support via phone, email and video chats, as well as its normal services. Local residents’ associations, volunteers and community members have also rallied round to try and ensure that everyone has been supported during the pandemic.

Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2020

NEW APPRENTICES GET STUCK IN

FIVE new apprentices have started their working lives at WEALDEN District Council in East Sussex. Sophie Gurr is working in Legal Services, Callum Honisett in Building Control, Will Anderson with Waste Management and George Rimmer with Revenue and Benefits, while Jade Lyons has joined the Facilities Management and Car Parking Team.
“As one of the largest local employers, it is important that we play our part in offering career opportunities to young people,” said Cllr Roy Galley, Cabinet member with responsibility for workforce development.
“This is the fifth apprenticeship scheme we have run since 2014. The careers on offer are many and varied as we provide a wide range of public services. Many of our previous apprentices have successfully applied for full-time roles at the council once their one-year Business Administration apprenticeship is over. We are once again running the course with the East Sussex College Group, who help our apprentices put what they learn into a wider context.”

Left to right: Sophie Gurr, Callum Honisett, Will Anderson and George Rimmer

Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2020

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FOR YOUNG LEADER

SEVENOAKS Youth Councillor Gabrielle Tan, from Kent, has been presented with two prestigious awards, set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. Following her receipt of a Diana Award in July, Gabby has received a Diana Legacy Award for her dedication to advocating for a healthier planet and educational equality. A panel of judges selected 20 young people from across the world to receive one of these awards, which are bestowed every two years and celebrate the achievements of 20 outstanding young leaders, visionaries and role models. Gabby is part of the UK Student Climate Network and an advocate for the Global Schools Program. She represented the UK and Malaysia on the World Oceans Day Youth Council and has led a range of campaigns and events on eliminating single-use plastic, including a pledging scheme with the Sevenoaks Youth Council. In addition, she has affected the lives of thousands through her work supporting refugee education with youth-led organisation Horizon of Hope, which she founded. She was presented with her Legacy Award by Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, at a ceremony in London on 26 November 2019.

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2020

THE Young Mayor of SEAFORD, James Jenkins, assisted by deputy Chanel Pritchard, hosted a general knowledge quiz on 17 January. The evening raised £700 from entry money, raffle proceeds and the auction of a day trip to Bruges for two, donated by Premier Travel. This will go towards funding water refill stations for the East Sussex town, to encourage people to use refillable bottles and reduce their consumption of single-use plastic. James said: “What an excellent evening it was! Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the fundraising. I hope that my second quiz night on 13 March will do just as well.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2020

YOUTH PROJECT MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

HAILSHAM Youth Service (HYS), which provides youth work, support services and opportunities for young people in the East Sussex town, is celebrating 20 years of service. HYS is managed and funded by Hailsham Town Council and provides clubs and centres and support services including sexual health, as well as a range of recreational activities and outings. Youth staff joined guests at a special event at the Square Youth Café on 17 February, including representatives from schools, youth organisations and businesses, as well as the mayor, Cllr Paul Holbrook, and local councillors. Members of the public were invited to attend an open day. Town clerk John Harrison commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with the youth project team over the last 20 years – their positive attitude and obvious enjoyment in working with young people has ensured that HYS has gone from strength to strength.” Opened in January 2000, the 1 Market Square project was set up by the council for young people aged 14–25 in Hailsham and surrounding villages. The building accommodates the cafe and Safe-Hub, a drop-in facility for vulnerable young people. HYS has links with other agencies, including Hailsham Community College and the Safer Wealden Partnership.

Youth project coordinator Andy Joyes, who has been with the team from the beginning, with the mayor, Cllr Paul Holbrook

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2020

CALL FOR YOUNG CREATIVE TALENT

YOUNG people in BICESTER, Oxfordshire are being given a chance to showcase their talent across a full diary of events in 2020. The town council is giving young creatives aged 16-plus a platform to showcase their talent and to get involved in its events, through music and performance or in behind-the-scenes roles such as photography, videography, management or stewarding. The year’s highlights include a weekend celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a Good Citizen event, the civic parade, Bicester Family Fun Day and Armed Forces Day, as well as a host of music events. The mayor, Cllr Jason Slaymaker, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience in performance, teamwork and management. Volunteering also creates a good impression in college, university and job applications. Most importantly, we want this to be a fun and extremely positive experience for young people.” Everyone who takes part will be credited for their contribution, via the council’s website or in programmes for specific events. The council is also looking for a range of performers to take part in its events, from vintage 1940s acts to pop, funk and jazz.

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2020