British Youth Council - Positive Stories March 2013

Youth Voice: Positive Stories March 2013

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Youth Voice: Positive Stories A report by youth representatives and the workers that support them March 2013 Throughout March 2013 we invited youth representatives, including Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), Deputy Members of Youth Parliament (DMYPs), Youth Councillors, Young Mayors and Deputy Young Mayors, to share their stories of the positive activities they have been engaging in recently.

We also gave workers the opportunity to update us on the activities of the youth groups they work with and support. The British Youth Council will share this report regionally and nationally, with local councillors and MPs, in order to raise the profile of the fantastic local work that we know is happening every day.

This month we have also highlighted the recent results of Youth on Board (YOB) Awards which are an exclusively youth-led rolling award scheme that recognises innovative and exciting youth participation, both from young people and the projects and organisations that support them. See page X for the results, and for more information and how to nominate go to: byc.org.uk/training-services/awards/youth-on-board-awards The case studies and stories of the work of young people in their local communities are reproduced here in their own words. If you would like to find out more about one of the projects you read about in this report, please email: mail@byc.org.uk The online survey will now remain open and over the next year we will produce a report similar to this one, once a month, providing young people the opportunity to shout about the great work they have been doing in their local areas during the previous month. Previous reports are available online: www.byc.org.uk/uk-work/youth-voice The British Youth Council would like to thank all the workers and young people who took the time to promote and complete March’s survey and we look forward to hearing more from everyone over the coming months.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Contents East Midlands East of England London North East North West South East South West West Midlands Yorkshire and the Humber Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Youth on Board Awards

4 12 19 26 32 35 39 58 69 78 79 80 82

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

East Midlands Leicestershire Jane McCormick, Support Worker Youth for You – Hinckley and Bosworth ‘Youth for You’ is the Youth Council for the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth and part of the Youth Voice structure for Leicestershire. Three of the Youth for You group members – Sydney, Eloise and Julia - have produced an exciting and useful ‘Healthy Handbook’, which can be used by children or adults, that offers simple and healthy family meals along with offering ideas for families to play together and get active.

The Voice Champion for Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Matthew Hulbert said: “I am very proud to see this project become a reality. The three young people designed the book to be fun and easy to read and for both children and families across the Borough”. The young people said: “It has been fantastic to get involved, we have all learnt a great deal, including how to cook economically and healthily. We really hope people enjoy it”.

This project was part funded by the Staying Healthy Grant Scheme, from the Hinckley and Bosworth Health and Wellbeing Partnership and supported by Rebecca Ball and Sherrilee Fahey from the Cultural Services Team at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

CYCLe hosts visitors from Singapore At CYCLe the Leicestershire Youth Council meeting on Thursday 14th March there were 42 Singapore students and their tutors as guests and young people from the Rutland Youth Council. All the youth Council members (including Rutland) were involved in presentations about the different aspects of Leicestershire Youth Service voice work including Senior Member Training, District/Borough Youth Councils, CYCLe, The Wheel structure (involvement of vulnerable and targeted groups), the Children in Care Council, UKYP and how voice work works in Rutland.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories As an example of the type of "business" that CYCLe gets involved in, there was an interactive consultation exercise from the NHS about the restructure of their community services which Leicestershire, Rutland and Singapore young people were able to take part in.

There was then time for the students to mingle with Leicestershire & Rutland young people and they really enjoyed getting to know each other. The Singapore Tutors were really pleased with the way they all interacted and there was lots of fun with a couple of games.

The CYCLe members are now looking into the possibility of raising funds to enable them to do a return visit.

Support Worker On March the 14th 2013, Leicestershire and Rutland joined together to welcome 42 Singapore visitors to Leicestershire's County Youth Council meeting (CYCLe). The trip was arranged by a Singapore Polytechnic to prepare students who may be applying for university places in England. They'd come over to visit some universities and as part of their itinerary were interested in finding out about Youth Voice work, as they don't have anything like it over there.

With the usual youth work abandon, the visitors were welcomed with a game of "Sheriff" which went of with a real "bang"!! Young people from Leicestershire and Rutland then hosted a series of presentations about the sort of things they were involved in, including senior member training, District and Borough Youth Councils, County Youth Councils, UK Youth Parliament, Shadow boards, commissioning panels and consultation exercises. They then took part in a consultation exercise around health services in the community, giving them a flavour of the type of consultation work that young people get involved in. It was great to see young people from 2 different cultures mixing so well and everyone had a great time getting to know each other!

Support Worker The management group from the Satellite Youth Centre in Market Harborough have just recently attended and completed their interview and inspection training days. The youth service provides these training days to allow young people to join in with the interview process for new staff and volunteers and to be able to help set the standards for youth clubs that are both internally and externally inspected.

The young people gained a range of skills from meeting new people, trying out new activities and gaining in confidence, they also learnt about the differences between satisfactory and excellent youth clubs and youth workers, as well as an understanding of what is safe and welcoming.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Overall it was a set of days that we are pleased to have participated in and would recommend them to any other management group or young people in the youth service.

Support Worker On Wednesday 20th February young people from Melton Mowbray went to the Houses of Parliament in London. We enjoyed the trip because we had a tour around the whole building as all the MP’s were on half term, this included seeing the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Queens robing room. The robing room was very spacious and only had a chair for the Queen to sit on.

Her bathroom and wardrobe is secret so the public are not allowed to see this. The House of Commons and the House of Lords are at lot bigger than they look like on television. The House of Lords has luxurious red chairs for all the peers and elected members compared to the green ones in the House of Commons. One of the most important parts of the Government is the cabinet, they are a group of 22 MP’s and Lords who are in charge of particular things like education or the health service. Unfortunately we did not get to see any MP’s, Lords or the Queen but it was interesting to see where all the debating and law making goes on for our country. This has trip has given me more knowledge about actually what Government does!

Lincolnshire Alicia Brittain, 18, Member of Youth Parliament I have has a successful meeting with a school in my area, this I feel has helped me to represent them and make them more aware of our campaign and how we can represent them.

Andrew Garbutt, Support Worker Lincoln Targeted Services Sleep-Over During the February half-term holidays, Lincoln Targeted Services arranged 2 days of activities followed by a sleep-over event for 120 young people aged 8 to 16 years. The aim was to enable young people to be part of a range of experiences that they would not have normally have access to. The Showroom, a My Place funded project in Lincoln, was the chosen venue for this brave, exciting and first of its kind (in Lincolnshire) event. And for many this was their first ever ‘sleep-over’. The young people all accessed a range of activities ranging from parkour, bowling, fitness fun, zumba, boxercise, a cinema experience and the wonderful climbing wall. Groups were also given the opportunity to develop their journalism skills to produce a ‘live newsletter’

Youth Voice: Positive Stories based on photographs and interviews with the other young people participating in their activities.

Comments include: ‘This is the best experience I have ever had’.

‘Climbing was scary and nerve-wracking at first, but it was fun and gave me an adrenaline rush. I have never been on a climbing wall before; I would definitely like to do this again’.

Each young person left with a ‘goody-bag’ full of information leaflets, chocolate, gift vouchers and copies of their completed newsletters, improved confidence and new friendships. The event proved to be a huge success for all with positive feedback showing that the activities did indeed provide young people with a range of new and exciting experiences! Lincoln Targeted Services are thrilled that they have been proactive in enabling young people to take part of such a great opportunity.

Looked after Children’s Council (Voices4Choices) Training for Social Work Students Members of the V4C Executive group were invited (and paid) by Manchester Metropolitan University to develop and deliver training to Masters in Social Work students. The subject for the day-long training course in February 2013, all delivered by V4C members, was ‘What social workers need to know about working with children and young people like us’. The exercises and discussions included helping social work students start to feel some of the loss that children and young people feel when they come into care, and to understand what it’s like to be different. The important skills and behaviours of social workers were also looked at from a young person’s point of view: including being more open, honest, reliable and available to reach by children and young people. Most important for social workers was taking the time to really listen to children and young people, and taking their views, wishes and feelings seriously.

The V4C Members said: 'It was amazing, I thought we got a lot of information into their minds, they’ll use some of the exercises we used back at work in their teams.’

‘Brilliant!’

‘It was epic; I loved it, very much, thank you!’

‘It was fantastic, really enjoyed it, and had an amazing day. Wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.’

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Manchester Metropolitan University staff said that the V4C Executive group had been one of the very best they had seen. Lincolnshire should be proud of Martin, Beth, Ray, Dani, Theresa and Jess.

Big Conversation 4 The BIG Conversation programme is devised and led by the V4C Executive. It is collaborative, with adults and children and young people working together on issues that all agree as important, to improve services for looked after children and care-leavers. To quote one young person: ‘It’s a place where change happens’.

This event saw three BIG Conversation projects being completed: Finalising the design of the new Care Pledge Agreeing the text for the new Care Leavers Charter Agreeing the final design and wording for the new Social Worker Agreement People attending also voted on the best designs for new Private Fostering information leaflets and posters.

There was also a presentation by Studio View, a design company that has been chosen to make the teenage version of the Coming into Care Kit into a web-based app. that can be accessed by smart phone, tablet, laptop or PC. Six young people put themselves forward to work with Studio View to steer this project to completion by August 2013.

After all the hard work, we had a slap up lunch and then everyone took part in a fun session, run by Children’s Links, making and launching bottle rockets – which was fiercely competitive.

FAB (Fantastic Amazing Brilliant) Awards A celebration of Looked After Children's achievements takes place Saturday 23 March.

Dreadlock Alien, Poet Laureate for Birmingham, is MC with Beth Tibbles (V4C Chair) co-hosting and key councillors and officers presenting along with Jamie Carter (Paralympian) presenting the Sport Award - part of the Olympic Legacy. There are a wide range of activities hosted by Sound Lincs. FAB! Lincolnshire Participation Action Group (wider shadow board for Children's Services) Young people had their second meeting having discussed what is essential for children growing up in Lincolnshire (issues relating to the Children & Young People's Plan).

The group consisting of elected youth reps, Looked After Children, young people from Barnardos Leaving Care Service, Young Carers, Police cadets, sheltered housing Framework,

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Action for Children (CWD), Scouts and YMCA decided to make their priority anti-bullying. The second meeting saw Lincolnshire Anti-Bullying Officer give a presentation of the work that is being undertaken across the county and some stats from schools Anti-Bullying Census.

Discussions looked at what should be the focus for the group and this is now going back to the wider groups as well as how the group might support to achieve its priority.

Georgina Hands, 15, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament The Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet has asked Lincolnshire’s Police Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick for an interview, which he has accepted. The Youth Cabinet will ask questions about his new role, and if he will be working with young people. A cabinet member will be interviewing Mr Hardwick in early April, and hope to find out what is being done about youth crime in Lincolnshire.

I applied to be a member on the Youth Select Committee on education. Unfortunately, I did not gain a place, but I am passionate about having a curriculum that prepares us for life. I believe that the curriculum does not completely cater and prepare young people. So far it is clear that the current curriculum is not preparing us for life. Something needs to be done. We need to be able go out of school feeling confident that we know about our society, so that we can become part of it. It is vital as young people that we know how society works, and learn basic life skills. In order for young people to integrate into society, we need to know about society. The more young people know, the more other young people will get involved.

Matt Mortimer, 15, Member of Youth Parliament On Friday 15th March I received an e-mail response from MP Ed Milliband about the UK Youth Parliament's campaign on 'A Curriculum To Prepare Us For Life' on which he added in the e-mail the following key things; 'School should not just be about passing exams, but also about equipping young people to play a positive role in society and the workplace. I am concerned that this Government is going in the wrong direction in education by narrowing the curriculum and side-lining skills, and will fail to set young people up for the future.'

After that the following was added which made me smile quite a bit:

Youth Voice: Positive Stories 'Young people’s views should be heard and it is excellent that the Youth Parliament is taking the lead in campaigning for high quality teaching and learning in these subjects. I hope you will work with us as we set out our vision for a modern education system which gives all young people the skills and knowledge they need to play a part in 21st Century Britain.'

I myself would just like to add that MP Ed Miliband's support is truly appreciated by both myself and UK Youth Parliament!

Nottingham Natalie Robinson, 18, UK Young Ambassador WOW is an annual global festival where women and men of all ages and backgrounds celebrate women’s achievements and discuss the obstacles they face across the world.

I had been asked to sit on a panel for one of the discussion events on Saturday.

I was going up to London, the Southbank Centre on Saturday 9th of March to sit on a panel for one of the discussions taking place.

This discussion was around the ‘F word’ – Feminism, and I was on a panel of 4 people including me, with Caroline Bird leading the discussion.

Firstly, the travel to and from London… It was fine! Much better than I anticipated. The train was obviously a two hour journey from Nottingham to London St Pancras – no changes. A picture in the gallery shows instructions that I followed on which tubes to get and where to change for different lines etc, which proved to be so easy. Although I have been to London before and travelled on the tube quite a few times previously, I have always been in a group, so never really had to worry about anything. However this time, I was on my own! But I made it home alive, and with a great experience under my belt! The actual festival was amazing. It was so lively and very busy; I wish I’d have bought tickets for the rest of the festival, not just to attend on the Saturday.

With regards to the panel that I sat on, it ran for an hour, with around 20 minutes of questions from the audience at the end. The questions put to us by Caroline to keep discussion flowing among the panel to begin with were challenging but proved to bring the best out of each of us, giving answers from our various perspectives, which then resulted in us bouncing off each other. The four of us got along really well! It was great to meet such extraordinary young

Youth Voice: Positive Stories women. Then the questions put to us by the audience were so varied, and we ran out of time to answer everyone’s questions as everyone appeared to be pretty engaged and interested in hearing our opinions. Some questions were: ‘Would you call yourself a feminist?’

‘How do you think male teachers have changed in schools with regards to teaching and attitudes?’

‘What would you say to young women from disadvantaged backgrounds to promote positive thinking and behaviour?’

I thoroughly enjoyed answering these questions and being put on the spot. The audience were very welcoming and many people came up to us afterwards congratulating us and saying that we did well. After the panel discussion, we were each given passes for the rest of the day, whereby I then went to watch a comedy stand up by Ruby Wax on mental illness, which was spectacular and unforgettable. I absolutely LOVED it, and I owe my thanks to the team at the WOW Festival for inviting me, and Aneta Kubala from the BYC for recommending me for this opportunity. It was a brilliant experience that I will never forget, and I will definitely be going back to see and take part in the events again next year!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

East of England Hertfordshire Mrs Alex Ferguson, Support Worker March was a busy month for the new MYPs not only taking in the enormity of their role in representing 115,000 young people in Herts but also preparing for the first Herts1125 meeting in early April; many tress have been felled to support the amount of paperwork they have received all to be read and understood … and tested on later!

They have taken this is their stride and their early determination and professionalism bodes very well for the future. As a worker, they are certainly keeping me on my toes!

A number of them attended the Herts1125 presentation in early March supporting ex-MYPs Michael & Xav along with current PG Rep Alex who did a grand job on what was described as ‘a powerful presentation’ to the HCC Education & Skills Panel. Lots of positive murmurings of action to be come before the end of the school term.

Work with elected members has slowed during the current Purdah but we are ready to pick up the baton again come 2nd May when elections are all over and old & new relationships will be made.

Ella Rickson, Support Worker On March 2nd the Hertfordshire UKYP election results were announced at County Hall in Hertford. With the new DMYPs and MYPs excited and ready to take on their roles, much of March has been spent working towards the Herts1125 meeting on April 6th. Herts1125 continued to build its network of connections in March and met with the University of Hertfordshire to discuss how we can work together. The University of Hertfordshire will now be promoting Herts1125 as an accredited volunteering opportunity and student involvement will take a variety of forms. This exciting partnership will extend the representation of young people within Herts1125 and open doors for consultation opportunities. North Hertfordshire Youth Council linked in with support workers from Herts1125 this month to discuss youth participation and their roles and responsibilities. Their domestic violence campaign sounds like

Youth Voice: Positive Stories promising work for 2013 and their representation within Herts1125 is warmly welcomed. The involvement of Hertfordshire youth councils members in Herts1125 is imperative and we have many from across the county. Herts1125 took part in a market place at the Hertsmere Youth Conference in March and had the opportunity to talk to students from across the district about the group and youth democracy in Hertfordshire. April looks to be an exciting month with the first meeting of the year being the starting point for a lot of hard work for the group. All priority issues have been allocated to MYPs who will take the campaigns forward, supported by members of Herts1125.

Emma Flude, 15, Member of Youth Parliament Making our mark for young people in Herts On Wednesday 13th March, a few of us MYPs were fortunate enough to be able to attend the 2012 manifesto presentation to Hertfordshire Skills and Education Panel at County Hall, Hertford.

The MYPs of 2012 spoke about what the five priority issues in their manifesto were, their research and what they wanted to achieve. The priority issues were: child fares for all under 18s; reviewing sex and relationship education; wider learning opportunities; support for young runaways and homeless; and protecting our youth services. Included in the presentation were quotes from young people in Hertfordshire, which made the issues raised a lot more real, and highlighted the significance these priorities have in our generation's lives.

Three of last year's representatives spoke with incredible knowledge and passion to an audience of councillors and MPs but, to my amazement, no one showed any sign of nerves!

Everyone commented on how impressed they were, and many councillors could be seen nodding in approval, so it looks like the manifesto made a real impact!

The morning gave us new MYPs a massive insight into the work of Youth Parliament, and our role representing young people. I think it's safe to say that the standard for this year's MYPs has well and truly been set!

Jonny Brighton, 17, Member of Youth Parliament On the 25th of March, I had the opportunity to take part in a debate with the Westminster Debating Society in Committee Room 10 at the Houses of Parliament. The proposal was 'advertising is important, but is not enough to revive Britain's economy', so quite a difficult point to argue especially with a lack of advertising experience. The debate was run with 2 speakers on either side, who spoke for 10 mins each, then on to the floor debate in which everyone could take part. I made the point that despite adverts like the T-Mobile flash mob, Evian roller babies and the 'famous compare the meerkats' all surfacing in 2009, Britain still fell

Youth Voice: Positive Stories into the Great Recession, thus advertising is not always able to hold up the economy on its own.

I also suggested that advertising would make little to no difference if people had no money to spend on the products. In the end, the proposition won with a huge majority; although I do think they had the easier side to argue (despite arguing and voting for them). The debate was a lot of fun and I plan on going back there next month for whatever the next debate is!

On the 25th March, I had the opportunity to take part in a debate with the Westminster Debating Society in Committee Room 10 at the Houses of Parliament. The proposal was 'Advertising is important, but is not enough to revive Britain's economy' - so quite a difficult point to argue especially with a lack of advertising experience.

The debate was run with two speakers on either side who spoke for 10 minutes each, then on to the floor debate in which everyone could take part.

I made the point that despite adverts like the 'T-Mobile flash mob', Evian roller babies' and the famous 'Compare the Meerkats' all surfacing in 2009, Britain still fell into the Great Recession, thus advertising is not always able to hold up the economy on its own.

I also suggested that advertising would make little to no difference if people had no money to spend on the products.

In the end, the proposition won with a huge majority although I do think they had the easier side to argue (despite arguing and voting for them).

The debate was a lot of fun and I do plan on going back there next month for whatever the next debate is!

Support Worker This month SAYC received the positive news that their local district council have given them £15,000 to spend on initiatives that support young people’s mental health. This is fantastic news and allows the group to move forward with some of their suggestions they made in their 2012 Mental Health Report.

They are conducting new research, based on last year’s work - and can share that preliminary findings suggest that half of all teachers who took part in their new survey would like further guidance and or training in issues relating to depression and self harm. Furthermore, early analysis suggests 7% of students who took part in the survey are struggling with issues around Self-Harm

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Their original report has been made available on the national child and maternal health observatory - chi mat - www.chimat.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=135110 The national Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) provides information and intelligence to improve decision-making for high quality, cost effective services. It supports policy makers, commissioners, managers, regulators, and other health stakeholders working on children's, young people and maternal health.

SAYC are encouraged that their report has been downloaded over 170 times.

As a result SAYC are now working with MIND and hoping to enhance the Bond Project, a national project which aims to bring stakeholders, schools and charities together to improve access and information sharing - echoing one of SAYC's 2012 main recommendations.

Norfolk Ben Dunne, Support Worker Norfolk and Suffolk Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) got together at the youth venue OPEN in Norwich. The MYPs shared successes from 2012 and what they are planning for the year ahead, and discussed new pieces of work that could be shared between Norfolk and Suffolk. After lunch a trained British Youth Council Peer Trainer arrived and delivered a great training session on getting the most from meetings and putting your point across. Hopefully the first of many Norfolk and Suffolk joint meetings.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Southend-on-Sea Lucy Bissell, Support Worker Southend Youth Council has undergone a major boost in membership thanks to the recent efforts of the Youth Mayor candidates. Their election campaigns inspired so much interest that dozens of potential new members flocked to the first meeting in March led by the newlyelected Southend Youth Mayor and Deputy, Megan Sylvester and Chris Copley. More than 50 Southend young people streamed into the Council Chamber at Southend Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue, Southend, to join the largest Youth Council meeting for over two years. Megan said: “There was a great atmosphere at the meeting and I’m sure that this will be an excellent year for the Youth Council.” Chris added: “It was a great turnout for our first meeting with an excellent level of participation from the attendees. I feel that the raised profile of Youth Council has contributed largely to this.”

The Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor are settling into their new roles. In March they met with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor James Courtenay, Simon Leftley, Corporate Director of Adult & Community Services & Interim Director of Children & Learning and James Duddridge MP for Rochford and Southend East who have all offered to support them with their campaigns.

Megan and Chris will be presenting their action plans for their term of office to the Success for All Children Group in April and the Youth Council will be working on these actions and reporting back to the monthly Youth Council meetings. Youth Council members have reviewed the structure of the monthly meetings and there is now 1 hour for normal business and the second half of the meeting is smaller group workshops to enable members to take an active role in campaigns and become more action focused.

Youth Council members are planning a Social Networking training session for members of staff and Councillors to promote the benefits of Social Networking. The training session will cover the use of Facebook and Twitter and the members will produce ‘how to guides’ for attendees to take away.

The Looked After Children’s Council are planning an activity day to promote membership. 20 children and young people have registered interest in the event and there will be a selection of activities for them to take part in, including team games with Southend United Football Club, an Easter Quiz and arts activities.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Suffolk Amber Spearing, Support Worker The Suffolk MYPs have had a busy few months and are making great progress in the local campaign of getting a better deal for young people in our county- the council have accepted a proposal for a 25% discount card- to be launched in September 2013- This is an amazing accomplishment, a particular mention must be given to Sam Kenward MYP who has led and fronted the campaign and to Matthew Percy for his tireless commitment to the issue which is one of his personal manifesto points.

Matthew Percy MYP & Sam Kenward MYP were presented with their Youth Voice Awards at the BYC Parliamentary Reception in late December, even our local MP Peter Aldous popped in to congratulate the MYPs in person for their hard work and commitment to representing young people.

Lewis Old MYP attended a meeting at Suffolk County Council to discuss a youth-edition enewsletter which will be out in the summer. Suffolk UKYP will be taking control of the content and editing and will use this to promote & celebrate the great work young people are doing in the county. The e-magazine is sent to all teachers, college and youth organisations in the county.

Tom Pepper MYP has taken the lead on a collaborative project with Ipswich Hospital to seek and consult with young people about their patient experience, particularly those who have to spend much time in hospital.

Suffolk Youth Parliament has been tirelessly campaigning for cheaper public transport in our county for years and finally there has been great news. At a cabinet meeting in January a new discount card for young people has been agreed on and plans put into action. Sam Kenward MYP & Matthew Percy MYP were invited to meet with the leader of the county council in his constituency. They discussed progress of the new ‘Endeavour Card’ which will offer a 25% discount to all young people in Suffolk on buses and trains. Suffolk UKYP will be part of a judging panel to choose the card design and be involved in the promotion and marketing of the card ready for its launch in September 2013.

Tom Pepper MYP spent a day volunteering with young people with physical disabilities; he enjoyed his experience and is looking forward to doing more volunteering with young people.

MYPs attended an event ran by a consortium of students from various high schools in Ipswich about Civic Engagement. The students presented various ideas for projects to help the

Youth Voice: Positive Stories community to an almost full chamber of councillors, mayors, MYPs, parents and the public. It was very inspiring and motivating and great to see students being taught about civic engagement in such an engaging and exciting way.

Suffolk County Council is in the process of gathering the views of all young people in Suffolk on a project called ‘Shout Out Suffolk’ where young people are encouraged to write, draw, sing, make a comic or poem about their learning experience in school. It is a massive project over the whole county as part of the Raising the Bar initiative. Suffolk MYPs have been involved in promoting the project, contributing and will be involved in the next phase of project.

MYPs wrote letters to party leaders; own MPs and the Prime Minister regarding ‘The Curriculum for Life’. They have also lobbied local MPs asking them to support the Votes at 16 debates and Equal Marriage in Parliament.

During the half-term MYPs Kate Reynolds, Matthew Percy, Sam Kenward and Tom Pepper met with Norfolk Youth Parliament at the Open Venue in Norwich, the day consisted of some best practice sharing, updates on localised campaigns and a discussion about working together on a project. In the afternoon we had a BYC peer trainer who ran the session ‘making the most of meetings’, the MYPs all enjoyed the session, particularly the role playing game.

Over late February and March, Suffolk Youth Parliament ran a by-election to fill 2 vacant MYPs spaces and for 2 new (and the first ever for our county) Deputy MYPs. On April 1st- Ben Buffone & Natasha Graves MYP will begin their 1 year term, and James Harding & Caitlin Rawlinson will begin their terms at Deputy MYPs. We look forward to having them on board and as part of the UKYP family.

We are meeting in the Easter holidays to make our action plans for the year ahead and meet our new colleagues. With more MYPs and DMYPs from different areas we will be able to represent young people county wide and get their voices heard- exciting times ahead for Suffolk!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

London Havering Support Worker International Women’s Day written by Chloe Westrop & Namwila Mulwanda For the second year running at International Women’s Day, it was a wonderful day! This event was held at Havering College of F&HE, Ardleigh Green Campus.

In the planning of the day weeks before, we researched inspirational women and why they were. We came up with the idea of dressing up as an inspirational woman to interact with the people there as well as to give an idea of some inspirational women; for example Michelle Obama, Emiline Pankhurst and singer Jessie J. The reason we dressed up was because we created a game to interact with the public. We had quotes from our famous person, together with other inspirational quotes and the public had to guess which was said by the woman that we were dressed up as.

On the day of the event we set everything up around the other stalls. Our main aims were not only to promote the Youth Council, but to find out what other kind of women the public found as their role models. Later on they posted them up on our community wall along with other examples.

We chose to participate in International Women’s Day because we thought that role models play a vital role in everybody’s life.

With all the results we got we’re planning to turn it into an exhibition in our pop-up shop to show how much the public contributed and how role models have a positive effect on a person’s life.

Overall, the public reacted positively with our work and we felt like it was a good experience for the new members that had joined.

We hope to do this event again next year, with another positive outcome.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Lewisham Nailah Muhammad, 15, Young Advisor Lewisham’s young people have progressed on a political scale vastly over the last few years.

Potentially iconic role models for the future, will be discovered. Personally, I believe that I am one of them because of my new understanding of society and the community that we live in.

Young people in Lewisham have collectively joined programs and organisations that will hopefully benefit them now and in the future.

For example: The Young Mayor’s Team and Young Advisors .This organisation has successfully had a vital impact on the community for over 9 and half years .The successful outcome is due to the love and support of the community and the inspiring ambitions that young people have managed to grasp through these troubled times. The attitudes of the active young people has helped the organisers to continue with the work that they have maintained to a high standard and has delivered to the young people effectively. Allowing various types of young people experience voting for a new young mayor every year ,prepares them for the real voting process, which helps to understand politics and campaigning .B-Involved is the name that sums up all the work that the Young Mayor’s Team does ,in partnership with various organisations across several boroughs and Europe.

GLA Goldsmiths University SLAM Prague ,Norway, Germany ,France, Holland Hopefully we’ll work with organisations across the world In relation to helping young people develop their skills in the community, there are other organisations that prioritise their time looking at specific problems in the community. For example victim support, Youth Aid , Baseline, Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and the list goes on but one organisation that has worked actively with the Young Mayor’s scheme is Ubuntu.

Ubuntu means ‘I am because we are, therefore because we are I am’. Expectedly Ubuntu has remained successful because of the natural attractive agenda that is very important in Lewisham borough. The main agenda for Ubuntu is to engage young black people in politics, the work force and being positive role models to other young people in society. Young black people are the majority in the Lewisham borough and stereotypically portrayed as N.E.E.T, (Not in Education, Employment, Training) category, which is unacceptable. Ubuntu proves that a lot

Youth Voice: Positive Stories of black young people are motivated to better themselves and become powerful leaders in years to come. Skills that have been embedded in these young people are: Public speaking (learnt through regular attendance to conferences and promoting Ubuntu events and learning programs) Business (learnt through starting our own clothing line and music selling) And the list goes on.

Ubuntu has become the identity of these young people because of the powerful impact it has had on their lives and others around them. I am a product of Ubuntu. It has been in my life for 5 years and will always remain. Ubuntu is a training ground for life ,which is essential for young people to have somewhere that they feel safe and comfortable in themselves . My confidence has drastically improved. Now I am a focused young black woman determined to shake the world in a new and exciting way.

Now the main agenda is to tackle the problems in unemployment in the borough. The Young Mayor’s Team and the Young Advisors also Ubuntu has demanded more jobs for young people for years and now the issue is being looked at.

These organisations are not youth clubs, they are beneficial programs for young people to succeed in life and make an impact on the world.

I hope Lewisham blossoms into a flower of prosperity

Richmond Jack Lewis, 16, Member of Youth Parliament Richmond Council’s Youth Service and young people alike have been very busy preparing for the Richmond Youth Council and UK Youth Parliament elections, which took place from the 4th to the 15th March.

Any 10 to 19 year old (or up to 24 year old if you have a disability) who lives, works, plays or is educated in the borough can vote. There were 21 candidates for the UK Youth Parliament election with three

Youth Voice: Positive Stories elected positions available, two as Members of Youth Parliament, one as a deputy. For the Youth Council elections, the borough has been divided into its five ‘quindrat’ areas, with 40 candidates standing for election overall. Each of the quindrats will elect five youth council members to represent them on the Youth Council.

All the election candidates had a one minute election videos produced, and all the videos went online on the Richmond-upon-Thames website and YouTube from 25 February. Candidates organised their own campaigns, visits and Facebook pages as well as attending election Hustings for both the UK Youth Parliament and Richmond Youth Council elections. These events gave young people the chance to communicate directly with the candidates, scrutinise their policies to decide on which candidate to vote for. The majority of the Hustings events have been organised by local secondary schools, utilising the Council’s Youth Service support, including hosting a Hustings event at a local youth club for the UK Youth Parliament Elections candidates where 60 young people attended.

The elections declaration results were announced on 20 March at the Council’s Town Hall by the Chief Executive and included a speech by the Strategic Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Children’s Services.

This year 13,177 votes were casts by young people with 7,800 votes in the UK Youth Parliament elections, and 5,377 votes in the Richmond Youth Council elections. This is the highest turnout the borough has ever seen for a Youth Parliament election, and the first time the Youth Council has been elected.

Current MYP Jack Lewis was re-elected alongside Sam Clark and Camille Richards was elected as Deputy. Their roles start by attending a training weekend with other Youth Parliament members from across London on the 5 to the 7 April.

Youth Council members will also be attending a training residential on the 26 to the 28 April.

The elections and the approach to them has been both tiring and exciting, and it has been brilliant to be able to campaign alongside so many other enthusiastic and articulate young people who want to make a positive influence locally.

London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Engagement Strategy has pledged to increase and train young people in recruitment of staff. Recently a group from the Youth Council have attended joint training with Kingston’s young people on interview skills training, which has provided valuable knowledge. These training sessions are taking place on a monthly basis, in order to train young people to interview new staff across Kingston and Richmond Council.

Recently Youth Council members were part of a panel to interviews candidates for the Primary Mental Health Worker posts within Children’s Services.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Finally: on Saturday 23 March, Hampton Youth Project (one of the Council’s youth clubs) hosted a very successful open day funded by the youth commissioning fund that the Council offers for youth groups, with free activities ranging from cake decorating and mask painting, to Sumowrestling and a climbing wall.

Young people and adults alike visited the project to sample the activities on offer, with young people playing a role in facilitating the event as well. It was a successful event, which encouraged over 300 attendee to come and observe what services are available and raising the youth club’s profile in the local community.

Wandsworth Support Worker

Chair of Wandsworth Youth Council It’s that time of year again and Wandsworth Youth Council has been rallying applicants to elect into the role of Chair. Four applicants applied, and hustings were heard. After a bit of First Past The Post voting, we welcome Sam Ponniah as the next Chair of Wandsworth Youth Council. Marc Dataro will be handing over the reins over the coming months, and Sam will step up to represent Wandsworth Youth Voice on a local, regional and national level.

We have also been busy recruiting to the main body of the Youth Council… Check out our Harlem Shake recruitment video: http://vimeo.com/61700803

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Youth Inspections Since November, we have been interviewing staff, online research, visiting centres, mystery shopping and charging our clipboards. With a lot of editing and a useful F7 button we have completed our Wandsworth Youth-Led Inspections of Play and Extended services report.

The following recommendations have been made to the Head of Service, Paul Martland: 1. For young people to be involved in a refreshing anti bullying policy, and for staff members and young people to actively enforce it.

2. To have a staff member at a table to welcome participants as they enter the site.

3. To have a more cohesive relationship with other boroughs to compare and learn from best practice.

4. For the council to help tidy up the surrounding areas of play centres.

5. To encourage young people to be involved in the advertising publication of Play Centres.

6. To re-address the stigma attached to attending a play centre.

7. To raise more awareness of activities available in play centres.

8. Encourage Play Centres to publicise local Youth Centres and for youth workers to attend Play Centres on a regular basis.

9. More involvement and input for young people.

All of which he agrees needs to be changed. We are excited to work with him to effect positive change for Play and Extended Services.

Youth Voice Question Time We had 57 young people attend Wandsworth Youth Voice Question Time in the Council Chamber 21 March 2013. Young people came from CLICK (the children in care council), youth offending team, young carers, young people who attend youth centres and secondary schools in Wandsworth. Questions asked included: 1.

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How did you get to the position you are in now?

What has been the biggest challenge you have had to face?

What do you think that some of the problems are for young people?

What was your greatest mistake and what did you do to resolve it?

What do you think about the equality and diversity act?

What is your contribution to children’s rights in Wandsworth?

If you had no limit on your credit card, what would you spend your money on?

If you were homeless, how would you feel about this?

Youth Voice: Positive Stories There were 98 questions submitted. The panel couldn’t answer all of them, so the Youth Council has invited the panel members to one of their meetings to wiggle the rest of the answers out of them!

In the Loop Following the Youth Momentum Conference, Wandsworth have lobbied and campaigned hard to introduce better and more supported work experience placements in the Council. In the Easter holidays, the Youth Council created 18 placements for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Placements included: film unit, waste management, transport, sport development, children’s centres, economic development and many many more.

We were thrilled by the turn out and even more so when we heard about the impact of this project including: 1. Two young people have been offered work 2. One young person has had their work published and printed by graphics 3. One young person has had their placement extended (or offered to go back whenever he wants) 4. One young person met a contact that would help him with his journalism career 5. 3 young people have expressed an interest in joining the Youth Council Watch out for these up skilled youngsters!

Youth Opportunity Fund Applications from across the borough have bombarded our inbox, in what is transpiring to be the greatest turnout for this year’s fund run by young people. We would encourage others to apply. Any young person, 11-19, living in or studying in Wandsworth can bid for up to £5,000 to increase activities, sponsor trips, buy equipment, support building works or simply help with start up costs. We are ready and waiting for your application!

Were famous!

Read more here: http://wandsworthi/CorporateComms/Grapevine/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=90

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

North East Stockton-on-Tees Julie Thornton, Support Worker Stockton’s new MYP and DMYP elected Jessica Belch from Conyers School, Yarm, has been elected Stockton Borough’s MP for the UK’s Youth Parliament. She polled 1,174 votes and her Deputy is Ciaran Poole, from Northfield School, Billingham who received 1,075 votes.

This was the first time that formal elections have been held in Stockton for Youth MP and over 7,700 pupils from nine schools were invited to vote in the elections. They were run exactly like formal elections for national MPs, with secret ballots and carefully controlled counts. The interest from all the schools resulted in a 72.69% turnout.

Jessica Belch said: “I am delighted at being elected a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Stockton-OnTees! I am over the moon by the response by young people in the area, especially Conyers! I can't wait to work with Councillor McCoy and Ciaran to secure a good future for Stockton's Young People. I am looking forward to delivering my points of views to the House of Commons in London and meeting other MYP's. It is an exciting new prospect and I can't wait to get started!”

Ciaran, 14, from Billingham, was delighted to be elected and said: “I am really thrilled to be elected Deputy. I thought I was going to come last! One of the things I am most looking forward to doing is visiting the Houses of Parliament and meeting the other Youth MPs. It is really exciting as I have only been to London once before. My school and friends around the Borough have really supported me which has been great. I can’t wait to get started.”

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Councillor David Harrington, Stockton Council, Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Finance said: “I congratulate Jessica on winning this election, which was keenly fought and with a superb turnout. All of the young people were first class in their professional approach to them. It was great to see everyone’s enthusiasm which we hope they will carry forward in their adult life for general elections in the future.”

Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton Council, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “I think this whole process has been a great experience for the young people of our Borough and given them a flavour of democracy in action. I look forward to working with Jessica and Ciaran in the future. They have done extremely well to win these elections.”

Stockton new Youth Assembly Launch for Nominations There are exciting new plans aimed at encouraging youth participation in Stockton Borough, providing an opportunity for young people aged between 11-19 years, or up to 25 years for young people with special needs, to become part of a new Youth Assembly being established in the coming months.

The purpose of the SYA, which will be supported by experienced youth workers and other relevant officers from the Council, is to provide a formal platform for young people to contribute to matters affecting them and provide a youth perspective to the Council that will assist it in its planning and development of services, and influence its decision making processes.

This model for Youth Participation was agreed by the Council following consultation with young people and stakeholders.

Stockton is currently recruiting nominations/representations from the following groups/individuals: Stockton’s Youth MP (who is also a Member of the UK Youth Parliament) Stockton’s Deputy Youth MP Secondary, Academy, Independent and Private Schools, including those with Sixth Forms, with nominations being made by each School Council if one in existence (1 member from each) Bede and Stockton Sixth Form Colleges (1 member from each) Universal Youth Clubs (1 member from each township- Stockton, Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Thornaby and Yarm)

Youth Voice: Positive Stories BME (via Cornerhouse) (2 members) Young Carers (via Eastern Ravens) (2 members) LDD Representatives plus appropriate Advocacy Support (2 members) Looked After Children/ Care Leavers (via CiC Council) (1 member from LAC, 1 member from CIC Lets Take Action Group) Cabinet Member for Children & Young People; Cabinet Member for Corporate Management & Finance Membership of the SYA would be for a period of two years and it is anticipated that it would meet at least every two months within the new Myplace facilities at the North Shore Academy in Stockton. Our aim is to hold the inaugural meeting of the SYA during May this year once all nominations to its membership have been received.

Young Inspectors – Mayor’s Award Young Inspectors have received the Mayors Award in Young Person’s Award category for making a substantial contribution to their communities through volunteering whilst achieving valuable skills and experience needed to become active and responsible citizens. The young people will attend an Annual Council meeting to receive their award followed by lunch with the Mayor along with distinguished guests. Throughout the year the young people have given their free time, volunteering to promoting healthy lifestyles to their peers such as no smoking campaigns and working with health services that young people use.

Looked After Celebration Event The focus of the day was to recognise the achievements of young people who are looked after in their school and home life. The young people received recognition in personal achievement, sports, and special achievers award. This well attended event was full to the brim of fun activities giving the young people the opportunity to meet other young people in care and receive their awards.

The Let’s Take Action (Children in Care Council) The group’s current topic is ‘Safeguarding’ and they recently participated in a consultation on the service they currently receive, on child protection. They have lots of activities planned in the up and coming months which include a creative writing workshop with some of the young people working towards the ASDAN peer mentoring and volunteering award.

Health Passport The Health Passport was created to help young people look after their health and to support the people around them to have the best information to help young people look after health needs.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories With the Health Passport all of the young people’s medical details are to hand, wherever they go, helping them to be and stay healthy.

The young people can fill it in themselves and pass on the information to whoever they feel can support their health needs such as parents, carers and a wide range of professionals. Young people had the opportunity to participate in a number of recent launch events in local schools aimed at introducing the Health Passport and getting a sample of views and opinions on how it can be embedded and to make it more young people friendly. Some of the comments from the young people were; more colour, keep it easy to read and audio or brail for those young people who may find it difficult to read. Overall young people thought it would be a good thing to do: It’s managing my way… this is how I want to live my life… it’s not only doctors’ appointments, it’s not only how I can control my condition…. It’s about how I can live with my condition but still have a good time and just be a young person.

Cleveland Police Commissioners Youth Forum The Police Commissioners Youth Forum met at Billingham Police Station to participate in a drug workshop presented by Youth Direction and PCSOs from the Billingham Area. After the workshop the young people were given examples of good practice for volunteering in the community and advised how they could get partners to help with their group’s future volunteering projects Elm Tree Project X – Stockton scoop double awards Stockton’s indoor skateboarding, scooter and BMX facility, Elm Tree Project X, are celebrating a double achievement. The project has been successful with two awards: A national award from The British Youth Council Youth on Board Awards for Inspiring Youth Project and a regional award from the North East Regional Youth Work Unit for Best Youth Work Partnership. The project has gone from strength to strength over the past year, from its infancy when a group of young people demonstrated at a council meeting, to highlight the sport’s lack of facilities and stereo-typed as anti social, to a project for 10-19 year olds with 500 members and it’s much more than a sports facility.

Youth workers have supported the young people with their own steering group, providing training, delivering interventions and assessments of the young people’s needs, delivering workshops around smoking/alcohol and working in partnership with a range of agencies such as local schools, residents groups, councillors, Sainsbury’s, the fire service, police, anti social behaviour teams, solar learning, and sk8safe, along with major support from the council’s Integrated Youth Support Service. Further funding was secured from Tri-star a local social housing provider, to deliver holiday programmes.

A number of those involved in the original demonstrations are now employed by the project as trainees and have undertaken qualifications so that they can work for the park. Others have

Youth Voice: Positive Stories used local events to demonstrate their sport as a genuine sport and not as a by product of them hanging around in public causing trouble for residents.

Billingham Town Council A group of 8 young people meet for their first meeting as Billingham Town Council and discussed issues and campaigns that are important to them with lots of introduction games and activities. The group have decided to meet monthly at a local youth centre - watch this space for more info as the group get going. Members of the group also went to the local Police station to take part in a consultation about how they view antisocial behaviour with the Local Community Safety Team.

South Tyneside Alex D’Ambrosie, Support Worker Interview and selection Youth Panel Four members of South Tyneside Council’s Young People’s Parliament who have been trained in Interview techniques took part in a recent interview process for the positions of: Service Manager Service Manager Service Manager

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Supporting and Strengthening Families Early Response and Contact Permanence and Reunification

The young people volunteered their time for two days and developed a set of questions that they wanted to ask the candidates. The young people gained a huge amount of experience and learning from this process, not only by interviewing the candidates, but as it also gave the young people an insight into how to present themselves at interviews regarding their own future. This has also helped the young people towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Positive activities provision following 2012 ‘Youth Voices’ Consultation Following a very successful Youth Voices ‘Consultation’ event in September 2012, South Tyneside Council’s Young People’s Parliament have started to follow-up on the views offered by the young people who attended the event, (over 90). One of the themes that they have been focusing on is access to Positive Activities regarding healthy lifestyles. Young people wanted to have more opportunities to try out ‘taster / free try before you buy’ sessions. With this in mind the Young People’s Parliament are working closely with Managers from Leisure Services and Cllr Joan Atkinson, (Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families) to look at ways to address this issue.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories The Young People’s Parliament are therefore progressing this in time for the Summer months, but also to see how it could be a more permanent feature across the Borough. The Young People’s Parliament have also offered their views in a recent consultation about what young people would like to see offered in the Borough’s new Swimming Pool ‘Haven Point’, for example; fitness sessions, charity fun days, inflatable assault course, crèche facilities for young mums and parents, opportunities for young people to volunteer or gain work experience at the pool and facilities.

Youth champion for young people with disabilities Within the Parliament Hilary Morgan who is a wheelchair user, has become our Youth Champion for Young People with Disabilities, and is also a newly elected ambassador for Whizz Kids Charity. Hilary is currently working with the Deaf Society to look at activities young people would like to be able to access. Hilary is also available to offer support and advice to other young people. Congratulations to Hilary!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

North West Allerdale Glen McAlpine, 14, Youth Councillor Young people’s question time and youthforia+ residential.

Manchester Alison Bunn, Support Worker This month Manchester's Youth Councillors elected their first Members of the UK Youth Parliament. The voting took place in a polling station set up in Manchester Town Hall and involved two rounds of voting; the first to narrow the candidates from eleven to five and the second to elect the MYPs. The standards of presentations and manifestos were extremely high and it was a very close-run election but our new MYPs are Patrick Farrell and Leon Gledhill.

Trafford Youth Councillor Just had a meeting about children in care.

Wigan Jilly McKiernan, 18, Member of Youth Parliament In my role as Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Wigan and Leigh, I take great pride in visiting youth groups and projects across the borough.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Two years ago I was pleased to take part in a project called #WiganMYPOnTour, it was a project which saw me visit around ten youth groups/projects over Local Democracy week. Throughout my journey I took to twitter to brag about the excellent work of the young people I was meeting. The project was a fantastic way to meet the people I was representing, which is why I jumped at the chance to do it again this year.

Being an Ashton girl myself, it only seemed fair that I should start my journey by visiting my local youth council. Set in the local Salvation Army, the group has been running for around 2 years. As I arrived, myself and Daniel (the other MYP for Wigan and Leigh) were quickly welcomed in by the two workers of the group Deb and Lisa. They were pleased to tell me about how over the last two years they had had over 76 young people as members and the group has been a quick success. Run in an open session style, it’s easy to see why the group has done so well – the 16 to 17 year old lads who had turned up to talk to me clearly enjoy the group and are happy to donate their time.

In their short time of being a group, they have already run community days, worked with councillors, local park group Friends of Jubilee Park and the Salvation Army. The lads (rightly so) boasted of their work on raising awareness about Fairtrade, working on the AIM Festival, helping the local skate group get their skate park and helping at a Health Event in Haigh Hall.

But it must be said that one of their most impressive projects was no other than Xtreme Fridays.

Xtreme Fridays was a project which saw this incredible bunch of young people run 5 weeks of free activities and events in Jubilee Park last summer. The lads organised and facilitated everything from climbing walls, drama activities, arts and crafts, sports, archery and much more! It also saw the welcome help from local services such as Brook and the Feel Well bus.

Despite only lasting 5 weeks, the lads at the group had every right to feel proud after reaching and working with a record breaking 800 young people and getting fantastic feedback from parents and friends of all involved.

But Xtreme Fridays is not where it all ends – oh no. Not content with the way young people are stereotyped and perceived the lads set to making a video to prove just how wrong people were.

The film – The Truth Beneath The Hood – saw the lads talking about the group and what it is all about, interviewing parents and councillors. Working with Peter from Tradition Films, the lads helped to write all the scripts and work on sound and editing. Once the film was made, it was clear to everyone that the group was onto a winner and it wasn’t long before commendation after commendation started to pour in.

On Friday 15th March, the lads took a 4 hour journey down to Pontepridd, Wales for an awards ceremony, where they were nominated in the top three for the Zoom International Young Filmmakers’ Award. Sadly the group didn’t win but the spokesperson for the group Jake (who

Youth Voice: Positive Stories not so long ago did a stint as Mayor for the Day) was quick to tell me that they had ‘never had this kind of recognition before’ and while it ‘wasn’t quite the BAFTAs’ it was a great laugh. The young man behind the clever film title Ricky told me about how it was ‘great to see young people getting opportunities they wouldn’t normally get’. The film has had support from many authority figures and groups, backed by the Wigan Youth Cabinet and the Voice Engagement Team; the lads had a fantastic support network behind them. The film itself is definitely worth a watch and can be found on YouTube (with over 70 views already) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_MmW_7XaRI - it’s filled with music, interviews and snapshots from the work the group has done.

But don’t just take my word for how good the film is, how about local MP Yvonne Forvague? In January the lads travelled down to London to tell the MP all about their video and their group, it seemed that she was really impressed and the link for the guy’s video is now on her blog.

While they were down in London they received a tour of the House of Commons and even took a trip to the theatre to watch We Will Rock You - which seems perfectly apt for the group, because the lads are definitely prepared to rock the foundations of media built stereotypes and good on them. I have to commend them on their spirit; their loud and strong minded but a friendly bunch never the less. It’s obvious that this group and those who are in it have the potential to go far and visiting them has only increased my pride in the young people of Wigan and Leigh.

You can tell that the success of the group and the projects means a lot to their youth workers, who must be thanked for all the tireless work they put into it. It’s an inspirational group who have still got years of campaigning left in them. It was a perfect way to start #WiganMYPOnTour and by the time we left, I was armed with plenty of notes and poor Daniel was relieved to be able to take a break from non stop tweeting. So whatever you’re doing right now, stop and go look at the film. Take a minute to appreciate the hard work that has gone into not only that but all the other events that this fantastic group has done and when you’ve finished that check out our twitter at @JillyDanielMYPs and follow us as we travel to different groups all over Wigan and Leigh.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

South East Buckinghamshire Kate Bruxby, Support Worker The Have Your Say Activity Day run by the Children’s and Young People’s Participation Team On Saturday 9th March Buckinghamshire County Council Participation Team held a ‘Have Your Say Activity day’ for looked after children aged 5-13. It was a fantastic day and was enjoyed by all children, staff, foster carers and guests who attended.

Highlights included creating ‘our rights wall’ (nice and colourful) and capturing the children’s thoughts and feelings about what their rights were and how they would feel if they were not given these rights. Another highlight was the Easter Egg Hunt that the foster carers and guests joined in on at the end of the day.

Some of the comments from guests and children about the day are recorded below.

“I was looking forward to today and it was fun it made me happy”.

When asking one of the children how we could have helped you more one replied: “Nothing because you always help me all the time”.

“You helped me learn about our rights”.

When the children were asked if they would like to come again some of their comments were: “Yes I would really like to come again”.

“I had fun today”.

The next ‘Have Your Say Activity Day is going to be planned soon.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Reading Tom Woolmer, Support Worker On 22nd February, the Reading Youth Celebration Event took place. This large event was organised and run by a group of young people, and featured performances from young people across Reading. Guests included our Police & Crime Commissioner, a local MP, and a range of staff from within the Council and beyond, as well as young people and parents.

This month, the group who organised the event, including young people from the Youth Cabinet and the Youth Service, rounded off activities relating to the event, including an evaluation and the finishing touches to the guest-book.

In addition to their normal meetings, the youth-cabinet secured an opportunity to present their work around Mental Health to the Emotional Health Strategy Group, which they did so admirably and secured the support of the group as they seek to progress their campaigns.

Finally, our team of Young Commissioners hit the streets of Reading, interviewing members of the public to demonstrate the more creative ways of finding out what people think about particular issues. Those interviewed were diverse, including a local butcher, and a member of the circus! The finished DVD will be viewable on YouTube shortly.

West Sussex Kai Moore, 18, Member of Youth Parliament Connor Trimming, 14, West Sussex Children in Care Council Today I went to the South East Regional Children in Care Council meeting organised by “A National Voice”. The meeting was fun but scary. I met 30 odd people and we, as young people, were put into a room and we shared some ideas. The main ones we came up with as a group were where the senior managers in social services should turn up to our meeting more often, and we need more members to join our groups.

The way we came up doing this that I will work on in West Sussex CICC is that we ask social workers to nominate someone to come to our meetings and join us and if the person comes and joins in their social worker gets a mug saying “I heart CICC” and that would hopefully help social workers to get us some members.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Then we said about doing training and we will hopefully do more in the future to help us get people to understand what we are and what we do. In the community we said that a good CICC group is made by trust, teamwork, sensibility as well as everyone has a say. As new chairman for the CICC I will go to these groups and see whether we can do anything like what others are doing to boost our awareness. People have asked about how we get people in care to know we are there to help and how we do that i have said that we tell people how we can benefit them and improve their lives but we can’t do that unless we have their say. We are going to ask Stuart (our director of Children’s Services) to speak to the Corporate Parent Panel to allow some young people to go into their meetings and go over what we do and how they can help.

Wokingham Support Worker Here is a summary of the activities that have been carried out in the Wokingham Borough during February & March: March Sumaiya and Charlotte met with Pauline Maddison (Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services) as one of their last tasks as outgoing MYPs. They spoke about the representation of young people on the new Health & Wellbeing Board and the Youth Service Review.

Andrew & Connor, new MYPs, will be supported to set up their blog, continue using the MYP Twitter and plan their campaign issues.

The CiCC held its monthly meeting at the Borough Council offices, where the meeting was dedicated to preparing for the full council meeting in a week’s time, as the group will give a presentation about the Pledge.

Y10 met twice, finalising the Y10 flyer, agreeing to fund an outstanding YOF application and discussing the UKYP Campaign ‘Curriculum for Life’.

The group were each presented with a folder containing a selection of photos of activities and events that they had been involved in other the past year and the new MYPs were given Y10 hoodies. The group also had a buffet, all as a way to say thanks for their hard work and to say goodbye to the Participation Worker.

February The CiCC held its monthly meeting at the Borough Council offices. The meeting was attended by Judith Ramsden (Head of Social Care) who came so the group could raise issues and ask questions.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories The new MYPs attended an induction meeting with Nigel Shaw (Head of Youth Service), who came to talk about the Youth Service review, Children and Young People’s Plan and welcome them into their new roles. The outgoing MYPs also came to have a handover meeting, including some top tips for managing the role.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

South West Bristol Dominic Weir, 15, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament Since I was elected in late February I have been able to achieve more than I would have expected possible even days before I was elected. Approximately two weeks ago I attended the UKYP South West residential for members and deputy members such as myself. The weekend consisted of several workshops about the role, it's responsibilities and the how (D)MYPs are expected to behave.

Including the fairly obvious importance of political impartiality. It has been an action-packed two weeks since, I have given input at an event held by a local MP in Bristol about tackling youth unemployment. I took part in the discussion and put in both my personal experience and the views of my constituents.

As a result the UKYP has won another MP over to our national campaign! Furthermore, I have represented the UKYP on committees discussing the changes in SEN provision and both learnt more about the issue and provided input on behalf of both my constituents and the UKYP.

Theo Davies, 12, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament We took back our campaign topics from the UKYP SW residential, discussed them, distributed petition forms and have been filling them in!

Cornwall Ben Haddy, 17, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament This month has been a very busy one indeed. Going to the UKYP regional residential was such great fun but I also learned a great deal about the responsibilities required for my role as DMYP.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories I enjoyed the spirited and passionate debates on current affairs, with people sometimes having to support points they did not necessarily believe in.

I also became a member of the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Young people’s board and have been working with them to produce a website that gives young people support and information whilst also treating them with respect.

Member of Youth Parliament At the beginning of this month I attended my first local meeting with the other MYPs from Cornwall where we discussed a number of issues we feel are important, since then I have been working in my community alongside the Youth Council to help them with planning events in Launceston. I also attended my very first regional residential which I found very useful as I have met other D/MYPS that I'll be working with.

I have started to petition for the Curriculum for Life national campaign, meanwhile I have started to plan a questionnaire to be given out to the local schools on transport.

Soozie Tin, Support Worker On 19th March 2013 one of the outgoing MYPs, George Poole, gave a presentation to the Children's Leadership Group, Cornwall Council, on the last 2 years of his term of office as Member of Youth Parliament for Mid Cornwall.

At previous meetings, along with the other MYPs and Deputies, he had identified key areas to feed back on about the achievements, activities, personal development and challenges that there had been since February 2011. Some of the projects and events identified included Young People's Question Time which was organised by MYPs to give young people in Cornwall the opportunity to ask questions of MPs and local elected members; the Locality Communication Events which brought young people in the community in closer contact with local decision makers; the continued involvement in the CAMHS Shadow Board and fund raising for projects to promote youth voice. All this is in addition to the local and regional meetings and national events like the Annual Sitting and House of Commons.

The CLG were very impressed by the presentation and the amount of voluntary time and energy young people give in the representation of other young people. I trust this will raise the profile of MYPs and DMYPs in or local authority and that their involvement at strategic level will increase.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Tia Joslyn, 15, Member of Youth Parliament Since the start of March, I have had an exciting time as a relatively new MYP. I have started campaigning for the Curriculum for Life, by trying to get more young people around Mid-Cornwall to know what the Curriculum for Life is and how enormously it could benefit them for their future life.

I have already got some signatures on the petition form and everybody I have managed to talk to about it has seemed thoroughly interested and feels such things such as finance skills education would benefit them greatly.

Aside from that, recently we went to the South West's residential in Newquay for a weekend. It was a lovely venue and we had a great time and learnt many things, such as how to write a press release. Continually, we also talked about the regional manifesto. We also had some interesting debates!

My first month as a MYP has been extremely fulfilling I feel, and I am excited for the months ahead!

Devon Beth Bray, 15, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament This month I have been to the regional residential which consisted of getting to know everyone and what's in store for my next two years of my term in office. I have also been sending off my letters to introduce myself to the local MP's and some of the plans we have inside our Region, County and Area team. We have also started work on the national campaign.

We are working on spreading area team posters around local schools and youth clubs.

Bruce Freeman, Support Worker Devon UK Youth Parliament members were elected for a two year term in January and have been busy on the job ever since. A February weekend residential, when we focused on team building and induction for the work ahead, was followed by a whole team meeting (because Devon is a large county, we operate as four areas) at County Hall, Exeter.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Then it was two carloads of people - two workers and eight MYPs or DMYPs - heading down to Newquay in mid March for the annual South West residential. This was a great success, a good venue and a crammed programme, and we are really looking forward to meeting our D/MYPs during the Easter holidays to log progress on all their campaigning.

Francis Elsender, 15, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament The UKYP south west residential was a brilliant chance for us all to come together as a region and learn from each other. Even though I am a second-termer it gave me a useful refresher of skills which I’m sure can help me represent my constituency better.

As well as this, following on from the residential, the Devon team are trying to give the national campaign a big boost. I am currently working with my school by taking assemblies and other things in order to inform my constituents and hopefully get signatures for the national campaign petition.

George Downs, Member of Youth Parliament My first chance to meet the other Devon UKYP representatives was on the 2nd, after I was elected MYP for East and Mid Devon in January. This county meeting focused on how to work effectively and efficiently as a team and what we could expect from future meetings.

We also finalised our county campaign issues: Body Image, Diversity/Bullying and Resources for Youth Work. I sent letters regarding the National Campaign to my three local MPs and received support from Neil Parish MP. The South West residential (15th-17th) in Newquay, Cornwall was a great opportunity to meet other (D)MYPs and discover the logistical differences between each team (e.g. Bristol compared to the Isles of Scilly).

We partook in a wide range of workshops and I learnt lots about my role as an MYP and how to responsibly represent my constituents. Then I contacted my school, Exmouth Community College (ECC) and on the 26th organised a meeting between the Deputy Head, a youth worker and myself. We talked in depth about issues which would not only affect pupils but also teachers of the school - this included: the curriculum, the school council and opportunities available for ECC. I also understood not only the ways in which the school could support me but how I could support the school.

I also received permission for conducting the National Campaign petition through ECC. In April I look forward to the area and county meetings and also hopefully meeting with Neil Parish MP.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Mel Beer, 18, Member of Youth Parliament, North Devon, West Devon and Torridge Team The UKYP Devon team for North Devon, West Devon & Torridge have been developing our contacts with young people across our constituency through youth centres, schools and groups that we are already part of.

At the start of the month we had a County Meeting where we agreed our top three priorities for the coming year. These were decided based on the issues mentioned in our election manifestos and issues collected from young people the previous month. The top priorities for Devon, for 2013 are; Body Image, Resources for Youth Work and Diversity.

Two members of our team went to our Regional Residential where we took part in workshops on the National Campaign, received media training and learnt about different Heritage Heroes.

As part of the National Campaign, A Curriculum for Life, we have been writing to our local MP's telling them who we are and asking for their support of the national campaign. We have also been encouraging other young people to get involved with this campaign and write their own letter to their MP's.

We continue to work hard at listening to our constituents and hearing their views on the issues that are important to them. We are doing this through visiting youth centres, speaking directly to other young people and developing links with school councils.

Dorset James Bora Jones, 12, Member of Youth Parliament This month I went to 2 meetings. One was a Dyce meeting on the 7th & we (Dorset MYP & DMYP) went to a residential in Newquay & stayed at the amazing Sands hotel & resort which was a great choice. I on the resi’ got to meet all the other MYPS and DMYPS and Youth Workers from other regions, and we talked about the following year (Manifestos, campaigns...).

We also did workshops which were AMAZING! I got to make banners for suffragettes & suffragists as well as making delightful Cornish pasties. My favourite bit was when we had to dress as a Heritage Hero which I dress Sir Winston Churchill I can’t look forward to the following months.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Lloyd Hatton, 17, Member of Youth Parliament Over the past few weeks I have attended a Transport Conference at the Dorset County Council building, where myself and several other young people from UKYP, Dorset Youth Council Enables and various other youth organisations sat with members of Dorset County Council and executive staff from transport providers such as the First Group, here we continued to work on projects that will provide a better transport service throughout Dorset. Specifically we worked upon developing a wider social networking basis to provide information to young travellers, as well as establishing a 'Driver of the Month' concept at bus companies, to help engage bus drivers into treating all young people with respect, we also confirmed the importance that young people also treat all bus drivers with respect, and notified the need to address this as soon as possible. I have also continued collecting signatures for the national Campaign 'A Curriculum for Life'.

As I am meeting my local MP next month (Richard Drax) I have begun thinking up and drafting together some questions regarding the thoughts and opinions of young people in Dorset.

Specifically I will hopefully be talking to him about the Marriage (Same-Sex) Bill, as this was a key issue I was elected on. I have also continued my work with the UKYP National Campaign, working to get as many signatures to support a 'Curriculum for Life' as possible. I am also talking to my school's head, hoping that he may sign the petition on behalf of the school, making a public commitment to our campaign.

Moya Dunne, 16, Member of Youth Parliament On the 15-17th March Dorset MYP's and Deputy's went to The Sands Hotel in Cornwall were the South West residential 2013 was held. It was a fantastic weekend, were we were able to get to know our fellow South Westies, who we will be working with for the next year. The new member learnt about what youth parliament is about, and also what your role is as a MYP and given media training whilst members who have been more than one term in office started working on short videos. In my group we are working on producing a video on what it means to be a MYP and also what youth parliament is all about which we are hoping to finish at the next regional meeting. We did lot of work on the heritage heroes , i attend the suffragettes workshop were we lobbied each other’s ideas of what actually won woman the vote ,and weather the militant action of the suffragettes helped or hindered getting woman the votes. myself and Tasha also Lloyd ran the work shop with helps county's produce there 3 main Manifesto points and then we produced our regional campaigns which 4 points we are working on threw out this month, which are:- positive media Image , Curriculum for life , better awareness and promotions of LGBTU groups and Transport. We then decided on the group we would like to focus on during the next year, i chose a Curriculum for life and we set out our aims for the upcoming year of things we are going to achieve.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories I have also been working on Reducing Stress for Student who are undergoing exams, with Eve DMYP for Dorset. At the moment we are currently producing a survey on stress in students, we are finalising the questions and hopefully will be sent to students in Dorset and a meeting will be held 9th April.

I have distributed a curriculum for life petition to Ferndown Upper School and also Ferndown Middle School which will tally up over a thousand signatures, if they are all completed.

On March 22nd was 'Today's Youth Tomorrows Leaders’ which was to promote the opening of the parish council booklet which was created by the young people including Dorset youth council and UKYP.

Natasha Glendening, 16, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament

I attended the South West Regional Residential in Newquay with all the other Youth Parliament Members from the South West. On the Friday Night, our PG Sam hosted a Question Time for Members. Although the panellists were representing the main parties none of the panellists (of which I was the Liberal Democrat) were representing the political party that they associate themselves with. This was very interesting, as although it was hard work, we all had to research the political parties and their stance on particular issues. We also practiced our Debating Skills on numerous of other occasions particularly when it came to the Suffragettes.

The returning Members of Youth Parliament also broke off into a separate group when the others were learning about UKYP as an organisation. In this group we planned short videos that will be filmed at future events on several issues, including the National Campaign and how Sounds Positive works.

On the Saturday we all attended workshops in regards to 'Heritage Heroes' and we learnt about past representatives before us and what they had gone through to achieve their campaign goals. It was very inspiring and although I won't be using tactics used by the Suffragettes, I hope I will approach my own projects with the same enthusiasm and determination. One of the workshops I attended was about Cornwall and its history including the miner’s strikes and the plays people would perform, which were originally used to tell Biblical Stories. Then, after

Youth Voice: Positive Stories having a quick 101 in the Cornish language our groups performed our plays entirely in Cornish!

In the evening we dressed up as our own 'Heritage Heroes', I went as Indira Gandhi, a female prime minister of India. I love India and its culture and it seemed fitting that I should choose to go as Gandhi. I felt that the extent of women's achievements could be overlooked by many in the West and I wanted people to understand the achievements of Indira Gandhi, a woman who led politics in her country and yet who many of us had not heard of. I also won the fancy dress competition, for being Gandhi, which I was very surprised to have done so!

The returning Members for Dorset also led a Workshop on the South West Regional Campaign.

We got every Local Authority to feed back their local manifesto points and we used this to collate the top 3 for the region. After this we split into 4 groups to focus on the Regional and National Campaign, I chose to be in the group for 'A Curriculum for Life' and we discussed what our Action Plan for the year would be.

As my role as a Youth Advisor on Sherborne Town Council I attended the monthly Council Meeting. Although not many youth-related topics were brought up during the meeting, I updated the Councillors with what Youth Parliament and DYCE were currently doing and their 2013 manifesto points.

I also gave a presentation to a Local Rotary Club in regards to UK Youth Parliament, I explained to them how Youth Parliament worked and what we do. Additionally I answered their questions in regards to our campaigns and they were particularly interested in our 2013 campaign 'A Curriculum for Life'.

For the past year I've been working with a woman from West Dorset District Council in regards to getting 'Young People Involved in Local Decision Making'. Together we designed a booklet for Town Councillors on the different ways that they could involve young people. We also created a second booklet for young people on how they could get involved in decision making in Dorset.

In March we hosted a Conference at Kingston Maurward called 'Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders' for Town Councillors where we launched the booklet.

One component of the day was to get Councillors to challenge their stereotypes of young people and to get them to highlight the issues that challenge young people in their area.

Members of the Dorset Youth Council and Dorchester Youth Extra also helped out with the event and gave presentations on the hard work that young people have done in Dorset.

I participated in workshops with Councillors and I saw firsthand how some of them changed their perceptions towards young people and a vast majority of them went away with some plans on how they could involve young people.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Simon Fraiz-Brown, Support Worker An apology to Simon Fraiz-Brown as the story in last month’s issue was incorrect. Please see below for the correct version.

The Dorset Young Inspectors project has recently completed an inspection of emergency health care services including Accident Emergency, Out of Hours GP services and Minor Injury Units. In total the Young Inspectors have written six individual reports, an over-arching report and carried out some focus groups with young people. The information they have gathered will be used to inform the Emergency Care Strategy across Bournemouth Dorset and Poole. The Young Inspectors have also reported back on their work to the Dorset Children's Trust Board and the Family Health Commissioning Delivery Group, where the reports were highly praised.

Exeter Kieran Curtis, 16, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament Over the past moth i have been to many places asking young people what they would like to change and what they think could benefit them. I have heard many different views from all different types of young people. During this month i have also started to do some accreditation in some youth centres based around 5 different awards (Devon awards, Heath & Fitness, Cookery, and Creative Arts & Music). A lot of young people have engaged really well in this, and realise how it can benefit them for applying for college and other forms of education.

All the young people understand what I am capable of in my position and really engage when they know what i do will benefit them for the future.

Gloucestershire Nathan Howarth, 14, Member of Youth Parliament We have had are regional residential, with good planning for the long term plan in Gloucestershire. Also I have sign 1 school to the pledge with two more considering.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Shafka Nazeem, Member of Youth Parliament I stood for this election because it was a real route of experiencing the stuff i want to get into in the near future. I am a confident person and want to are really good speaker and i thought this would be just appropriate for me to do and do something with the skills I have.

I will be the voice for young people and help their views and opinions be heard by higher level people. I will help sort of the transport in Bristol. I will sort out discrimination and immigration and unfairness in Bristol.

Well right this moment i am shadowing Mr. Faruk Choudry which has given me lot of opportunities for me to chair meeting and get close with other people who would be really interested in having a young people involved in their decisions. I have presented a BME campaign presentation to nick bachelor and head teachers of college and Fairfield high school about what we need from adults to help us change the view of BME people.

I have been to forums to listen to young people and forward these opinions to my select meeting so that the young people representing young people in Bristol understand what they need to change.

Support Worker The results of this year's Youth Parliament Elections were announced online www.ukypglos.co.uk on Friday 1st March. This year, the first year that Gloucestershire had run an online election 507 votes were cast - for 15 candidates for the three Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) seats and three Deputy MYP’s seats in Gloucester / Forest, Tewkesbury / Cheltenham and Cotswold / Stroud.

The outcomes were as followed: Tewkesbury/Cheltenham MYP Nathan Howarth – 14yrs form Chosen Hill School – Lives in Barnwood: "I was delighted to receive the phone call saying I was MYP for Tewkesbury and Cheltenham. I would like to thank all who voted and all those who helped the campaign from Chosen Hill School to Kris Upwards and Matt Burrows."

“I will now go forward with my campaign of improving education for outside of school and mental health."

Youth Voice: Positive Stories DMYP Luke Thomas – 18yrs Marling School - Lives in Uckington “It’s a huge privilege to be elected as MYP for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. I hope this marks the start of a positive year for improving the way young people are perceived in the area.”

Cotswolds/Stroud MYP Callum Coles – 15yrs – Deerpark School – Lives in Rodborough “Thank you to everybody that voted for me, I will not let you down. Prepare to see a better Gloucestershire!!"

DMYP Andrea Garcia-Ochoa Lee – 16yrs – Deerpark School – Lives in Cirencester “I’m really pleased to be elected deputy and am looking forward to making a positive contribution for young people.”

Gloucester/Forest MYP James Bennion – 15yrs – The Crypt School – Lives in Hempsted “Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who voted. I am honoured to represent young people and be their voice.”

DMYP Miranda Bopotp – 18yrs – High School For Girls – Lives in Quedgley “l am extremely delighted to have won this election; l see it as a great opportunity for the young people of Gloucestershire to start working together in order to tackle the issues that affect us all. Our goal is to now make sure that the voices of young people shape the political agenda.”

Plymouth Claudia Marshal, Member of Youth Parliament and Kerry Whittlesea, Youth Cabinet Member On Friday 15th March, Plymouth Members and Deputy Members of UK Youth Parliament along with members from across the whole of the South West met up for a regional residential. The meeting focused on members and their campaigns and how over the next year we are going to

Youth Voice: Positive Stories achieve them. Amongst all the hard work there was a lot of laughter and meeting new people who can help support out campaigns.

Harry Samuels, 17, Member of Youth Parliament I attended the regional residential in Newquay, which was a chance to get to know other D/MYPs and develop my local campaign as well as our regional and national campaigns. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose and inspired me to go out and get things done.

I also met with the Managing Director of Plymouth City Bus to discuss issues related to transport in the city, whilst also meeting with the Deputy Lord Mayor, the Naval Youth Forum, and Alison Seabeck MP.

Matthew Currie, 17, Member of Youth Parliament The last month has been very successful for myself in terms of UK Youth Parliament. I attended the South West Regional Residential at Newquay, and worked alongside my fellow MYPs in the region to plan our regional manifesto and what our priorities will be over the next year.

However, I also managed to begin to plan out my campaign around homophobia and racism, which I have begun working towards in my local area.

As a part of this, I have managed to secure a meeting with a local Councillor and Cabinet meeting to discuss ways in which they can support me in my campaign and how we can drive it forward! In addition, we have began carrying out work for the UKYP national campaign "A Curriculum For Life" and have began to write letters to decision makers, both local and national, as well as begin to get petitions filled out.

This has been a really productive and positive month, and I look forward to the coming months to truly get the campaigns underway and begin making a positive change for young people.

Support Worker During the past month we have had numerous debates linking to school education and a new curriculum to prepare us for life. We have also had a visit from the Navy Youth Forum and shared experiences as well as writing to MPs, and helping MYPs with their debates and campaigns.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Poole Francesca Reed, 16, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament Myself and my MYP Jess Elms have produced a survey entitled 'Speak Up' which we have been distributing to a variety of young people in our constituency in order to get their views on the issue which they feel affects young people most in Poole.

We are still in the process of collecting all the responses, but once we have done this we intended to take action upon the issue which is most popular by making it one of our 3 priorities for our year in office. At the moment Mental Health and Well being is the clear winner, but that could all change! I have also been actively informing young people in my constituency about our national campaign on a curriculum for life and have been getting their opinions on the proposals as well as their support through petitions. So far I have collected 99 signatures from young people in Poole in support of the campaign.

Jess Elms, 16, Member of Youth Parliament To represent young people in the area, we have currently been putting out a survey to the young people of Poole to find out about the issues that affect them the most. So far, around 300 people have had their voices heard, via paper copies distributed to 7 schools and various other youth groups, and also via the internet. So far, the clear front runner is mental health and wellbeing, with around half of the votes alone, followed by part time job opportunities and bullying. These results will go on to form one of our policies.

Also, me and Francesca attended the regional residential, and, as well as making new friends, we have formulated our policies and now have a better idea of how to fully implement them, to make the greatest possible change, not only in Poole but nationally. Following on from this, we have been to other meetings within our local council which have allowed the voices of young people to be heard. For example, we attended the young people’s overview and scrutiny board, and the children and young people’s board. We have also been working on the national campaign "A curriculum for life" by getting petitions signed in our local area.

We have also made progress on our other two priorities, more events and stress in Poole, by arranging meetings with councillors and relevant people, to help get the projects of the ground.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Sedgemoor Chelsea Close, 13, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament As I have just been elected recently, I have been on my regional residential. This was great fun as i learnt more about my role and what I will be doing in my term of office. This also helped prepare me for my role, teaching me media skills and debating techniques. I have also been to UKYP AG meetings and we are currently working on our manifestos.

Being involved has made me realised how much young people need a voice in all types of issues from the economic downfall to transport prices. We are people too.

Thrinayani Ramakrishnan, 15, Member of Youth Parliament As a newly elected Member of Youth Parliament, this has truly been an incredible month as I believe that I have made an excellent start to my term of office as an MYP. My first regional residential was amazing as the rigorous training truly helped me develop my action plans.

1. I have been fully in support of the UK Youth Parliament national campaign (Curriculum for Life) and have helped gain signatures for petitions and pledged schools to teach a curriculum which prepares us for life.

2. I have also attended a careers fair to discuss employment issues for young people and will be organising a skills workshop for youth in our area.

3. I have written a blog for The Backbencher which is an online magazine that receives 50k hits a month. I have talked about my campaign issue which is employment for youth and raised awareness surrounding this lucrative topic

Somerset Ellen Collard, 16, Member of Youth Parliament This is my first proper month within my new role as a member of youth parliament. The main thing i have done this month, is taken part in the children’s parliament day. A day committed to giving primary school children the opportunity to put forward their ideas for their own personal campaigns, and methods of campaigning. The issues among the campaigns were: "equality for all", "eco friendly schools" and "promoting healthy activities within school times". The day was

Youth Voice: Positive Stories a huge success, and the winning schools got the opportunity later on in the year to visit the houses of parliament. We had an opportunity to speak and promote the work of the UK Youth Parliament, and the visiting MP Tessa Munt, praised our work and commitment.

Sam Foulder-Hughes, 17, Youth Councillor This month has been a really busy month for me. We had our regional residential from 15-17th of this month and I lead the workshops explaining how UKYP works as well as hosting the weekend. In addition to this I've visited Devon's MYPs to run a workshop on the national campaign and ran workshops on the national campaign in my school and at UKYPAG the Somerset Youth Council.

This has been a really inspiring month, the new Members and Deputies for the South West are as ever truly wonderful!

Sharon Adams, Support Worker South West D/MYPs had their induction weekend at the Sands Resort in Cornwall this month.

We created our regional manifesto, planned our activities and campaigns for the year ahead and worked on press and publicity campaigns to promote UKYP and a positive image of young people in the media.

Work was temporarily disrupted for a UKYP SW Harlem Shake which you can watch on YouTube here http://youtu.be/TZRKicRLm_E

During the weekend Jane Shipton from the Regional Youth Work Unit also ran a quiz night and Emily Carter from Plymouth sold Red Nose Day cakes which together raised ÂŁ19 for Comic Relief - well done UKYP South West!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

South Somerset Joshua Bennett, 14, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament So far the main occupier of UKYP time has been the first meeting witch for a first meeting went absolutely smashingly as meetings go. So in short what has been done has gone absolutely to plan.

Stroud Callum Coles, 15, Member of Youth Parliament I have already got my current school supporting the curriculum for life as well as getting them to agree to second the correspondence I have with other school so that it doesn't get overlooked.

Swindon Naheda Miah, 17, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament I attended Swindon's Youth Forum residential. Over the 3 days we: had a consultation on young people and healthy eating, how Swindon Borough Council can adapt their youth priorities for it to be "young people friendly" and Grishma (MYP for Swindon) and I informed the young people about the national campaign - how they can get involved, who to contact and how they can contact them.

Taunton Deane Eloise Chaplin, 14, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament I've started to think about the national manifesto (a curriculum for life) and me and my MYP have already got 100 signatures on the petition.

I've taken part in student council meetings.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Torbay Erin Lynch, 16, Member of Youth Parliament March has been an extremely busy month for Torbay!

We began by saying our goodbyes to departing MYPs and welcoming five new members to our team. In the next few weeks we began to develop an exciting local manifesto of which we hope to achieve this year.

Top of our list was unsurprisingly transport costs, which sadly have escalated even further in recent months. We have created a survey which is currently circulating Torbay schools and young people of which we plan to collate its results and present its findings to local bus companies.

In the meantime we have also been developing a political eBook we hopefully shall begin distributing in the coming months. This ties in with our national campaign 'A Curriculum For Life' in which we hope to give young people a better opportunity at understanding their Government.

In mid March, Torbay had the opportunity to visit beautiful Newquay for the regional meeting which was a lot of fun! Pasty making aside we finalized our local manifesto, which includes some exciting projects which local businesses, but began to help with our regional manifesto as well.

Looking forward to the next year!

Wiltshire Charles McGrath, 17, Member of Youth Parliament I, in my capacity as a Member of the Youth Parliament, have attended my first Youth Advisory Group meeting for the Salisbury area, discussing issues such as the local young people's website and the representation of young people in the local media.

Furthermore, I have attended my UKYP Regional Residential in Newquay, Cornwall, where I was introduced to the basics of being an MYP and met with many fellow Members who I hope to work with in the near future. The Residential has certainly inspired me and given me confidence in performing my duties as an MYP in the coming year, with one of the major activities of the

Youth Voice: Positive Stories weekend being to draw up our Regional Manifesto. In the East Wiltshire area, we hope to ensure that young people are celebrated in the local media for their achievements. We also hope to establish an Anti-Bullying Charter to be rolled out county-wide to prevent the spread of bullying within schools.

I have also continued my discussions with local public transport providers to some success: I hope to meet with Wilts and Dorset, the local bus service providers, in the near future to discuss ways in which fares can be reduced for young people travelling on the buses regularly to and from school.

In relation to local political figures, I have contacted the Salisbury MP John Glen in order to arrange a meeting with him to discuss issues that have been raised by the young people of the area. I look forward to pursuing this within the next few weeks.

Ellie Pullen, 16, Member of Youth Parliament and Youth Councillor On the 15th of March I travelled to Newquay for the weekend along with other members of UK Youth Parliament South West for our regional residential. Whilst at the residential we took part in various workshops with many aimed at our regional 'Heritage Heroes' project and where we spent time learning about the heritage of our region. We also had debates such as whether Suffragettes were heroes or villains. I also took part in a mock Question Time and ran a workshop on e-safety and social media with fellow MYP Jake Pitt of Mendip, Somerset. In the evening we took part in a themed dinner where I dressed up as a suffragette and we also had a ceilidh.

I have been elected along with Matt Currie Regional Secretary for South West Youth Parliament.

At the start of the Easter holidays I attended a training residential with Wiltshire Assembly of Youth spending time getting to know the newly elected members and most importantly planning our new agenda for action of which we will soon begin consulting the young people of Wiltshire on their views.

James Davies, 16, Youth Councillor Trying to improve Bradford for the young people.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Jordan Green, 13, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament I have emailed MP and talked to head teacher regarding curriculum for life. I have sent press out to local papers to get the message out as well.

Kieran Mulvaney, 15, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament I have had the south west residential, this was good and I met lots of new people. I have also started getting signatures for the education for life campaign.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

West Midlands Sandwell Shobha Sharma, Support Worker

Young People Shine at Star Awards Inspirational Sandwell young people were celebrated at the sixth Annual Star Awards.

And the Star of Sandwell Award went to Ahmad Bostan, an extraordinary young man who has been visually impaired since childhood and who is an excellent ambassador for the borough.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories More than 100 people braved the snow on Friday evening (22 March) to celebrate the achievements of young people aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 with learning difficulties or disabilities.

The ceremony at The Hawthorns was organised by the Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet and the council's young people's services.

Councillor Bob Badham, cabinet member for children and young people, opened the event, which was compered by Wasim Ali and Shaheen Akhtar, chair and vice chair of the Shadow Youth Cabinet.

Shadow Youth Cabinet members presented awards to the winners and runners-up, chosen from around 150 nominations.

Across 10 categories, St Michael's C of E High Business & Enterprise College in Rowley won two awards for their excellent work – Volunteering and Anti-Bullying.

Cabinet member for leisure services Councillor Linda Horton presented the Star of Sandwell Award to Ahmad Bostan.

Ahmad's achievements include being a university student, presenting a weekly current affairs radio programme, taking part in community events and being an advisor on youth engagement and community relations to an MP, NHS Foundation trusts and other statutory bodies, including West Midlands Police.

Ahmad, who is chair of Smethwick Youth Council, said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have received the Star of Sandwell Award for services to young people and the community, an award I dedicate to my mother without whom I would be nothing today.”

Eight talented performing artists were selected through auditions to perform at the awards, and the young people did not disappoint, giving entertaining performances and showcasing Sandwell’s talent.

Councillor Linda Horton said: "This was a wonderful event, organised by the Shadow Youth Cabinet and supported by the council, which shows what inspirational young people we have in Sandwell. Well done to everyone."

Wasim Ali, chair of the Shadow Youth Cabinet, said: “We hear young people complaining about being tired of getting bad press coverage.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories "We want to create a society that is more positive for youth and recognises young people’s achievements and the positive contributions they make to society and this needs to be recognised and celebrated."

Star of Sandwell Winner: Ahmad Bostan Finalist: Saffron Hicken Young Carer Winner: Shannon Butler Finalist: Rebecca Hunt Volunteering Winner: St. Michael’s C of E High School Student Voice Committee Finalist: Dan Jones, Alexandra Jones and Lauren Gilbert (Wednesbury Young Fire Fighters Association Group) Performing Arts Winner: Singer Holly Wright Finalist: The Outsiders Sports Winner: Kevin Samuels Finalist: Windmill Amateur Boxing Club Bravery & Courage Winner: Megan Shephard Finalist: Joshua & Lydia Duffield Anti-Bullying Winner: St Michael's C of E High School E-Safety Group Finalist: Belise Niri

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Education Winner: Harry Abbott Finalist: Lucas Hough Long-Term Dedication Winner: Chelsea Thompson and Jack Houlden Finalist: Demi Boora Adult Star Winner: John Taylor Finalist: Dave Salt

Telford and Wrekin Member of Youth Parliament Hello Everyone! Recently I and Coral Brookes (DMYP) developed a presentation that was shown to big decision makers in Telford and Wrekin. Our presentation outlined our main ideas of awarding and rewarding volunteers in Telford and Wrekin that we had developed ourselves over the past year. We said that we would like to see a point scheme where young volunteers could be given points for the amount of hours they work. These points would be able to be spent in our area. We suggested that the points system should start off in use within all council owned facilities such as local swimming baths. We could then expand this scheme to privately owned businesses to offer a much wider range of purchase options for volunteers. Next was the award scheme and this was the idea of having a day or evening where volunteers are invited to live performances from young bands or artists and to be given awards for dedication and offering their services.

I have been attending the local back up group the YPF (young people's forum) for over a year now and I have learnt so much about my local area and he people of which I represent. I was recently re-elected by the young people of whom I represent, so I must be doing something right!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Walsall Kate Woodman, Support Worker So what a year!

So with the announcement of the newly elected representatives to UKYP it sadly means that our; far too young to retire 2012/13 reps are moving on to new things, but not before they finish off some of their fantastic campaign work! So for the last time let’s update you on the fantastic four achievements over the last year: Danni, Tom, Zak and Rob: Nationally: Attended the annual sitting event where they participated in consultations, manifesto groups, votes, question and answer sessions, debates, workshops and much more, all contributing to the production of a national UKYP updated manifesto.

Carried out the make your mark consultation with 1000’s of young people, ensuring that Walsall young people could really “make their mark” in what topics were to be debated in the House of Commons debate. The guys worked extremely hard consulting in towns, parks, schools, youth clubs, online and everywhere they could. It paid off! Walsall came 2nd in the UK for turnout percentage! A huge achievement that we intend to shout about for a long time.

All achieved their Asdan accredited Youth Voice awards.

Supported and contributed to the new national campaign: Better curriculum for life.

Regionally: Attended 3 regional conventions taking part in training, consultations, workshops, Q&A sessions, filming and lots more.

Attended a regional induction.

Attended a regional West Midlands police event where they were able to put forward their concerns, thoughts and ideas on Policing.

Locally: Sexual health: “Push it” Danni helped to design a healthy relationship poster, taken part in various consultations, meetings, events, projects as well as currently arranging a health day, to be held on the 19th April which we are anticipating around 70 young people to attend. To take part in interactive sessions on things such as: Self esteem, healthy relationships, contraception, the negative effects of teen pregnancy and lots more.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Drugs and alcohol: Drugged up, getting clued up on drugs!

Zak is working in partnership with various organisations to deliver some innovative training to 20 young Mentors that attend Grace Academy. Once the training has been delivered those young people will then be able to deliver sessions in their school and local community as well as offering one to one support and referring/sign posting to other key agencies.

Anti Social behaviour: See the good behind the hood, Rob has secured a regular column with a local newspaper to promote the good work of young people rather than the negative. Arranging a “shoe box” campaign at their school so that young people can fill shoe boxes full of things that other children/young people would find useful, and then pass them onto a local charity.

Anti – bullying: Think before you click Tom is involved heavily in the Activate against Hate campaign, designed and created his own cyber bullying awareness leaflet, delivering sessions in primary schools and various other organisations to raise the awareness of keeping safe online. These are just snapshots of what the group have been up to. All of them have worked really hard and have shown dedication to their role of United Kingdom Youth Parliament representatives!

They also did a fantastic job of hosting this year’s Big Announcement evening.

Some of the outcomes that young people have gained in their roles: • • • • • • • • •

Confidence Communication skills Organisation skills Independence Greater awareness of democratic process’ Empathy Time management Research and consultation methods And lots more!

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Nadi Choudhury, (Previous Walsall’s DMYP 2011/2012) Nadi has spent the last year in the role of Procedures Group representative for the West Midlands a fantastic development opportunity which he has taken on and excelled in.

So a big well done , and thank you to all of our outgoing reps. Keep a look out for all of their campaigns as they will be continuing with them.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Activate Against hate is a project of the Youth Of Walsall (YOW) group The project aims to tackle hate in the area. The project has been running for just over a year and so far have: delivered sessions to large groups of young people, social media campaigns, arranged a series of events focusing on bringing different young people together and lots more.

Their most recent Respect music event saw young people from different areas of Walsall come together to celebrate their common interest in music. MP Valerie Vaz was in attendance and gave support to the Activate project. The project also encourages young people in Walsall to sign up to the Activate Against Hate pledge.

The group are planning another music event in a bigger venue; where more young people can attend and express their views on discrimination, again with the common theme of music. They are also currently planning 7 new video shoots. As well as this they have their hot off the printer amazing new resource; The Activate Against Hate Toolkit for professionals and young people, which is packed full of information, project ideas, handy tips, the pledge, sessions and so much more! The group are also looking at delivering some more sessions in local schools.

Let’s talk numbers: 800 approx young people that have directly taken part in either a session or activity around activate. 70 approx professionals have taken part in the launch events for Activate. 150 approx young people already signed up. 270 approx likes on Facebook. 550 approx views on YouTube Videos. 6 schools that would like Activate implemented into their policies. And 15 members in the Activate Team. Find our more Like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/activateagainsthate Election fever takes over Walsall…

It’s been that time of year again in Walsall where young people are given their opportunity and right to vote for their favourite candidate and priority issue in the United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections.

This year 14 young people put themselves up as a candidate and throughout January they were campaigning in schools, youth clubs and projects using a whole range of things such as posters, demos, t-shirts, sweet giveaways, YouTube videos, Facebook groups and loads more!

5th – 15th Feb was the 2 week voting period where as many young people as possible were presented with their opportunity to vote for their representative. Voting took place in all but 1 school in Walsall as well as in Youth Centres, online and via text! Votes were then counted and results were announced at an Oscar style ceremony event held in the Townhall Friday 1st March. It was a great evening with some of Walsall’s best young talent on offer, and attended by approx 180 people.

This all means that you have four new (D)MYPs and they are: Omo, 14, MYP, Jade 13, MYP, Jack, 16, DMYP and Lydia, 15, DMYP

Youth Voice: Positive Stories The four are all really happy to be in their new positions and will be taking part in a regional induction (find out more about their role, get some training, lots more) during the first week of April. We would also like to give a special shout out to the 10 unelected candidates who all worked extremely hard and ran some amazing campaigns! It’s just a shame all of you couldn’t be elected. So a massive well done to: Charlotte, Heeran, Caius, Namir, Shayan, Nadekka, Nicola, Matt, Thomas and Sehrish, and don’t worry they won’t be disappearing they will be offered a seat on the YOW (Youth of Walsall) group.

Not forgetting a HUGE thank you to all of the young people that took the time to vote, all 13,458 of you! Yep that’s how many votes were collected, and just to give you a bit of statistical information that amounts to roughly 48% turnout of all young people aged 11-18 that live in Walsall so well done on using your voice and vote!

Benefits to the election process are huge, even in the basic form of engaging (voting) young people are making informed decisions, participating in a practical example of democracy, using their voice to highlight their priority issue, making a positive contribution as well as raising the general awareness of UKYP and Staff. The young people further involved such as the candidates are gaining outcomes such as: Campaign management, promotional skills, confidence development, communication skills improvement, awareness of issues effecting young people and much more! To those elected into positions a whole range of outcomes, opportunities and experiences will be presented to them.

If you would like any more information on what the newly elected UKYP reps will be up to just give us a call on 01922654888 or why not give us the thumbs up on Facebook? Simply search for Youth of Walsall and find out more!

Council 4 Kids (C4K) Council 4 Kids (C4K) is the forum for looked after children to have their say in Walsall. They have recently welcomed two new official members to their ranks, whilst three more are coming along to meetings to see what C4K is all about. First impressions are good and we are hoping they will decide to join as well.

The C4K have been working on refreshing their terms of reference and designing promotional materials to send out to all looked after children. Behind the scenes, we have been working on getting a website for the C4K, so soon they will be writing the content and telling us how they want it to look. The C4K are going to be launching their DVD very soon, in which they all turn into superheroes and are helping to organise an Easter party with their adult counterparts, the Corporate Parenting Board (CPB). Here they will not only get to know more of the CPB members but will look at ways the two groups can work together to get maximum positive impact for looked after children.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories We work jointly with our colleagues in Children’s Social Care to make sure we are encouraging children and young people who are looked after the opportunity to have a say in the services that affect their lives the most. It also helps us to reach out to those who aren’t on the C4K by visiting other places where we can talk to looked after children.

C4K are going to be very busy over the next few months with working closely with the Corporate Parenting Board on their business case to make the most of their funding. They are also designing the redecoration of the room where most looked after children have their 6 monthly reviews, which can be a daunting or upsetting time for them, and so making their surroundings as comfortable as possible is important.

Safeguarding The Walsall Safeguarding Children Board commissioned a group of key people across the partnership, including IYPSS’s Youth Opinions Unite to help implement a national framework to get more feedback from children, young people and their families and staff involved in Child Protection Plans. The group have decided to tackle this in lots of different ways to suit each group best. There will be an opportunity for all partners involved in a case to say how effective the child protection plan was at making that child safer and how things can be improved. We are going out and visiting older young people who have been on a plan for them to tell us what it was like from their perspective and to see if we can set up a support group for them through what can be a difficult time in their lives. But our superheroes come in when we get to those aged 5-10 years. We wanted to make sure that age group of children understand what is happening to them during a child protection plan, as well as giving them an opportunity to feedback. We are creating a comic where they are the main character. They fill in the blanks in the story of a child protection plan comic, with two superheroes (one boy and one girl) that they have created themselves. Our first workshop was held in February half term and the children designed the heroes and gave them superpowers too. You can see our heroes in the pictures...but they are still nameless!

So our next job is to create the comic, consult with more children and give our superheroes names. We are looking at a virtual support group for young people aged 14-19 years and will be sending out surveys to parents to find out their experiences too.

Support Worker The Safeguarding and Inspections Team, the SIT are Walsall's shadow safeguarding board and our youth inspectors.

What have the SIT been doing?

In January 2013 the SIT were recognised by Health at a national level, in the children and young people’s health and wellbeing in changing times document. It highlights Walsall as an example

Youth Voice: Positive Stories of good practice for getting young people involved in safeguarding issues and working with the NHS. Following the success and partnership working between SIT and Walsall Manor Hospital on the design of the Starfish Suite used for Child Protection assessments, the SIT are now taking this partnership a stage further and working with Walsall NHS to look at the involvement of young people across health in the borough. Another achievement is that SIT has been supporting Wolverhampton to establish its own young people’s safeguarding group. SIT have also been doing some work with WSCB and the Interim Director of Children’s Services surrounding its structure and vision/ ambition for Walsall moving forwards; using a watch analogy to make it clear that we must have a systems approach to improvement where all agencies see themselves as a functioning watch, meaning each agency is a mechanism in a watch that on its own means nothing but when all put together correctly it allows the watch to work and move time forward; ensuring that indeed every second does count when working with children and young people especially those who are in need or are vulnerable. Building on this work the SIT will be guest speaking along with the Interim Director of Children’s Services at a national Children and Young People Now Conference on the 19th March to look at the impact of effective Early Intervention and how this positively impacts on children and young people.

The SIT is currently working with teenagers who have been through child protection processes to ensure their voice is heard, whilst exploring the use of virtual community group to generate topical discussion and gain feedback from young people aged 14 – 17 who are on a Child Protection Plan. During March the more experienced members of the SIT will be supporting newer members to the group, to ensure all young people part of the group are equipped to have their say and continue making a positive change for children and young people. Be sure to check the next issue to find out the outcomes of some of the SIT’s work.

Support Worker Change Makers Fund The Change Makers Fund panel has successfully allocated all monies remaining in this year’s fund. Many young people across the whole of the borough have benefited from successful bids.

Writing down exactly what they needed and why might not have been the easiest of tasks for some young people. But with the support of their key workers and the Change Making Fund panel, they have seen their hard work rewarded. They were able to request that which they felt would make a real difference in theirs and other lives and that without the help of CMF would not have been able to have been achieved. Whether this has been a project that they have shown a need for in their area, an event they dream of attending or even a piece of equipment that they desperately need to assist in their day to day life. Here are some excellent examples of how the CMF has helped: Y.P with severe learning difficulties have been able to attend Paralympics events in London last year which has been inspiring, confidence boosting and a once in a life time opportunity for them.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Purchase expensive specialised software to allow communication with young people with severe learning and communication difficulties.

Allowed vulnerable young people to attend such events such as Clothes show and X factor which has helped with their Art, Fashion and Performing abilities.

Helped fund a boxing programme for those in the justice system or at risk of offending‌ the program has helped young people with dealing with confrontation, positive participation, self confidence and self esteem. In partnership with Alan Poole and Y.O.S the programme also had a well detailed and thought out exit strategy for the young people at the end of the programme. Many more groups and young people have benefited, too many to mention!

The Staff are currently completing a final report to Change Makers which is demonstrating much of the long term benefits and long lasting positive impact the CMF has had on young people and communities in Walsall. Unfortunately, the fund will not open next year, but we hope to be able to spread the word about the positive impact the last two years have made.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Yorkshire and the Humber Bradford David McIntyre, 17, Member of Youth Parliament Well where do I begin? Since the New Year Y&H have been on a roll...all local authorities are either in full swing in elections or cracking on with the National campaign: A curriculum for Life'.

But most importantly, Y&H have had their first Youth Voice Steering Group meeting, which has been set up to have a chosen LA rep, which is a young person from any Youth Voice/Participation group/team to come together and help me, as PG for Y&H ensure that the work we do is beneficial for everyone! With the group we hope to increase the scope of Youth Voice in Y&H, broadening our reach of young people being involved in youth voice!! We've recognised that there is so much potential and opportunity in making sure that not only do we get as many people who want to make a difference be heard, but also making sure that the conventions and meetings that we have are beneficial! Ensuring that all the workshops we attend help us develop new skills or reinforce those that we already have.

As well as the my work for the region as PG, on a local scale in Bradford we are very close to launching our Young Carer's card scheme in pilot schools across the district, in partnership with Barnardo's. The scheme was and still is a Regional Y&H campaign with the card already rolled out in 5 of the 15 LA's and hopefully the big 3 (Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield) will have it also!

Another important event that I've begun organising along with Bill (YDC) and the steering group is the Y&H Induction and Training Residential which is by far one of the most exciting dates in our year! It's looking to be a fantastic weekend in Hollowford, I'm certainly excited and hoping the rest of the region is too! To add, we not only have MYP/DMYPs new and old attending the residential at the end of the Easter Hold but also several Youth Councillors, Young Carers, Children in Care and Young Apprentices, which is a great achievement in our aim to widen our Youth Voice in the region; the weekend looks like a great way to start networking and sharing our best practices as well as joining forces and supporting each other.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Doncaster Georgia Charlton, 15, Youth Councillor and Greg Marlow, 17, Youth Councillor Participation Review update Last year we formed part of a Participation Review Team and we were involved in assessing the level of participation for children and young people within organisations and services for children and young people in Doncaster. The Participation review utilised the Hear by Right Standards Framework which enables organisations and services to both self assess and evidence the level of participation of children and young people.

We presented the review findings along with the recommendations to the Local Authority Senior Leadership Team this January. We are pleased to say that the recommendations for one of the services that were reviewed have been acted on and we can inform that this Service for Children and Young People have a new way of having their voices heard. An initial group of young people have been consulted with and had their first meeting this February it is hoped that more children and young people will be involved as the forum group is better publicised.

Children and young people are receiving the necessary support to develop their individual skills to have their say at forums and a voice at the heart of service design and delivery.

Participation of children and young people can help improve services, consulting with children and young people enables services to be improved or adapted to meet changing needs, that children and young people can help define; participation gives them a level of influence and an element of choice about the provision offered and can help them understand their own wants and needs.

Georgia Wren, 15, Member of Youth Parliament and Youth Councillor The Doncaster Young People’s Anti-Bullying Charter Mark Young people from School Councils, Doncaster Youth Council and UK Youth Parliament have been involved in developing The Doncaster Young People's Anti-Bullying Charter Mark. The Doncaster Young People's Anti-Bullying Charter Mark has been designed and set up to help children/young people, parents and professionals in the prevention and management of bullying. The Charter Mark aims to aid everyone in preventing and decreasing bullying in schools and children’s settings whilst also raising awareness in the local community of work done. We are now in the process of planning a launch and I’ve really enjoyed being part of this working group. I feel really passionate about preventing bullying; I am a mentor in School and believe that this Charter Mark will raise awareness and help to decrease bullying.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Olivia Wakefield, 18, Youth Councillor Meeting with the Portfolio Holder for Children & Young People It was suggested last September that the Youth Council should hold regular meetings with senior leaders and political members to enable young people's voices to be heard at a senior level and ensure that Doncaster Youth Council has a political and senior level buy-in from the Local Authority.

This month we met with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People. We talked about our work plans, achievements and we discussed the Youth Surgeries that we plan and organise quarterly across the borough. (These surgeries were set up to ensure that the voices of young people are heard at a local and neighbourhood level, and they provide the opportunity for young people to discuss their issues of concern and voice their opinions on their communities).

He was very interested to know how the surgeries were working and explained that he thought they were very useful as sometimes ward members find it hard to get the ‘Youth View’ in their constituencies. This meeting went really well and it’s good to know that we have the support from senior leaders and political members…our work truly is recognised and appreciated. We are now planning the next surgeries for April and would like to say that so far we have held a total of 61 Youth Surgeries this year – so it goes without saying a massive Well done to all who have been involved.

Hull Ruth Cowlam, Support Worker Hull Young People’s Parliament March saw Hull hold its 20th Hull Young People’s Parliament. 150 young people turned up on the day to debate two themes. The under 13’s discussed child abuse and the over 13’s discussed racism. Groups then came up with resolutions that were debated in the Council Chamber. The resolutions that were passed will now be taken to the Decision Making Panel meeting where young people will meet decision makers on how to progress them.

The day itself was a celebration of reaching the 20th HYPP and was marked by a live radio broadcast by Radio Humberside as well as telephone messages from local MPs. It has now also been recognised by BYC by being awarded the Youth on Board Award for an inspiring project.

Thank you to all involved as this could not have been achieved without other partners that are involved including the local Hull Youth Development Service and various voluntary groups.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Camhs Focus Group Camhs (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) are currently being revamped. Hull Youth Council and RAPP (the Voice and Influence Team) have been supporting young people in sitting on focus groups. The young people are being asked questions on how the service can be improved. Some of these questions have focussed on where the service should be run, the times and who by.

UKYP Meeting with Diana Johnson MP Tom, Jordan and Emily recently met Diana Johnson MP to discuss the UKYP National Campaign “A curriculum to prepare us for life”. Diana spoke about her ten minute rule bill that she is putting forward about education around Drugs, Relationships and Alcohol. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-1017c.324.0&s=Relationship%2C+drugs+and+Alcohol+Education#g324.2 Diana has agreed that she will highlight the UKYP campaign in Parliament (well done Tom for asking this!). We have also agreed to send out a joint letter / questionnaire to schools to find out what they teach in their curriculum and how they can be supported in incorporating the further curriculum areas that young people have highlighted in the UKYP campaign. Well done to UKYP for developing the campaign in Hull.

Leeds Support Worker Children’s Trust Board 6 members of the Leeds Youth Council attended and participated in the Children’s Trust Board on the 26th March. The session was an Outcome Based Accountability (OBA) session looking at drugs, alcohol and tobacco misuse in Leeds. The Young People looked at the current data

Youth Voice: Positive Stories around drugs, alcohol and tobacco, gathered the views of other young people in Leeds and delivered a short presentation to the Children’s Trust Board before fully participating in the session alongside members of the Children’s Trust Board.

The Leeds Youth Council and Children’s Trust Board are continuing to work together on issues affecting young people in Leeds.

Breeze International Youth Festival 8 members of the Leeds Youth Council have been supporting the Leeds City Council Arts Team who are organising the Breeze International Youth Festival. The young people have helped to choose which workshops, acts etc. will take place during the Breeze International Youth Festival. 5 of the members of the LYC attended the AMP Awards on Monday 25 th March at the Leeds O2 Academy, the role of the young people who attended was to listen to the 7 school bands who played at the O2 and choose their favourite to play on the stage at Briggate during the festival.

Rotherham Support Worker Rotherham Youth Cabinet members gave a presentation to all Secondary Head Teachers from Rotherham, to raise the profile of the work they have been involved in during the past year.

The main aim of the presentation was to ensure young people were represented on Youth Cabinet from all schools within the Borough. The visit resulted in a positive response from some Heads, who gave a commitment to support young people from their schools onto Rotherham Youth Cabinet.

Young people from Rotherham Youth Cabinet and UKYP went on a visit to Nottingham, to observe a meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council's Youth Board meeting. We wanted to see how other authorities run their Voice and Influence activities in order to share areas of good practice. The Rotherham young people thoroughly enjoyed their visit and were made very welcome by the Nottinghamshire group. Hopefully, Rotherham Youth Cabinet will host a reciprocal visit in the next couple of months.

Rotherham MYPs have been finalising their Carers Card and have been working with Barnardos Young Carers group to finalise the design of the card. They are now planning a launch event for the Card which will be held at Rotherham's MyPlace.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Sheffield Emma Hinchliffe, Support Worker

2013 sees the city’s young people vote in their thousands at the biggest turn out ever of its kind. The young people of Sheffield made their mark in secondary schools and local youth clubs across the city for the Sheffield Youth Council. A massive 10,253 votes cast across the North, East and West areas of Sheffield.

Results night was combined with a celebration event at the Town Hall attended by candidates, friends and family. It was also an occasion to mark the resounding success of the largest turnout of this kind made by young people in Sheffield.

Exiting Sheffield Youth Councillors presented their achievements taking the opportunity to wish the new Youth Councillors well as they begin their term in office. Awards of recognition of the young people’s achievements were handed out, and each candidate was congratulated by

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Councillor Colin Ross, Councillor Harry Harpham and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor John Campbell. Cllr Ross said: “As part of the 0-19 Partnership Board, SYC members have done a stirling job of giving a voice to the young people of Sheffield.”

Special messages were also read out from MP for Sheffield Central, Paul Blomfield and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Blomfield said: “I’d like to congratulate not only the successful candidates who have been elected tonight but also everyone who has taken part in this years’ election and those who have helped to make it possible. I believe that Sheffield Youth Council is an incredibly important initiative and I hope to be able to meet with members in the near future.”

The DPM also praised the SYC’s hard work, adding: “I am delighted that Sheffield Youth Council is continuing to give a strong voice to our young people by making sure that their concerns, views and ideas are heard and understood. I congratulate the new Youth Councillors who have taken up the challenge of shaping the future of our City, a future they will inherit.”

Sheffield Futures SYC Lead Worker, Emma Hinchliffe said: “I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who played a part in making these elections a huge success; from the schools and youth workers who have promoted these opportunities to young people right through to the volunteers who supported the vote count, all the candidates and their families. Over 10,000 votes is a tremendous result and every candidate should be really proud of this achievement as well as their own.”

Young People’s Involvement Team Manager, Sarah Stevens added: “We collected 38 boxes in total from schools and youth clubs right across the city. Not everyone could be elected, but the young people should not be disappointed! All candidates have shown an interest in representing young people and their views so each and every one of you is as important as each other – you will all have a job to do and those not chosen will become part of our area forums. Just remember, you are all winners in this election!’

Youth Voice: Positive Stories So, meet the new Sheffield Youth Councillors for 2013 – 2015: North: Joshua Wilson (Longley Park) Briony Aykroyd (Stocksbridge) Kieran Borrows (Yewlands) Diane Chaplin (ForgeValley) East: Mohammed Akmal (Handsworth Grange) Jenny Binley (Westfield) Rhianna Fox (Springs Academy) Carla Lamb (Park Academy) West: Elliot Whiteside (Tapton) Evie Herbert (King Edwards) Haleem Ayoub (Newfield) Natalia Cobeanu (King Edwards) The celebration continued with acknowledgement given to the schools who attracted the most votes. They will each receive a Democracy Award recording their achievements: Winners of the Silver award collecting 70% or more of students voting are: Stocksbridge (North) Yewlands (North) Sheffield High (West) Winners of the Bronze award, with 50% or more of students voting are: Firth Park (North) Park Academy (East) Meadowhead (West) Birkdale (West) King Ecgbert (West) This year, also saw Special Recognition Awards provided to the Youth Centres receiving the most votes made by young people across the city. Recognition went to All Saints Youth Club for the North area, for the East, Woodthorpe Youth Centre and St Peters for the West.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Wakefield Simmie Jandu, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament At the beginning of the year we were asked by the Youth Offending team to interview potential youth workers. The process involved questioning several people about their interests in youth work. We really enjoyed the experience and felt our input though not as influential as we would have liked was appreciated and our views valued. Debbie Chown went to the north east of england to meet young people making a difference in their area and view a myplace that had recently been opened. She also got the opportunity to see the work of many youth based organisations such as the princes trust. She also attended a meeting with local councillors a few weeks ago to discuss how they could support the work of the youth council. She also distributed a questionnaire throughout her school to find out about the students' views about their life lessons. While Debbie was doing this, Simran, Emily, Grace, Adam and youth councils Josh and Louis all went to the Eqaulity4U event in London and we split into two groups: one with the disability group and one with the racism group. We learnt a lot in the disability group and as learnt different kinds of disability and also this contributed to our national campaign of Curriculum for life as we asked the other people in our group what kind of things should be included in the campaign.

Adam has attended some area forums and spoke with the Norminton town counsellor. Also Simran, Grace and Emily attended a 'Wakefield speaks' meeting and had the opportunity to be on a panel in which they were open to questions and to show the adult area forum what Youth Parliament was about.

In September 2012 Simran and Debbie both helped organise a mela/gala for the community of aggbrigg and belle vue! This was a great success and was the I12 event! The event concluded, bouncy castle, BBQ and a visit from the mayor!

York Deputy Member of Youth Parliament I attended a youth council conference early in the month. There, along with fellow youth councillors, I delivered a workshop about the Minding Minds School Award. We have been working on this award, which celebrates schools who support the mental health of all its students, has been created and developed by the York Youth council over the past two months.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Northern Ireland Belfast Matthew Carson, 16, Member of Youth Parliament Went to an event in East Belfast called #inspire targeted at working class young people in the area. Sat on a Let's Talk panel with Chris Lyttle MLA, Cllr John Barry and others and discussed young people's issues and answered questions from the audience.

Newry and Mourne Ryan Cairns, 17, Youth Councillor This month Mourne Youth Council, a representative group of 15 young people from the Mourne Area, launched ShoutBox - our new project aimed at bringing democracy and political voice to young people.

ShoutBox is a simple, free and 100% anonymous way for young people to have their say on the issues that affect them. On launch night, we were joined by a select group of youth leaders and community representatives who enjoyed on presentation on what MYC hope to achieve with ShoutBox. Their feedback was very encouraging and we hope that ShoutBox can become the best way for young people to have their say.

We aim to launch ShoutBox in schools, local youth groups and young people within the next few months. By placing the eye-catching designed box in high-profile public areas, we aim to get high levels of engagement from the young people about changes they would like.

Eventually we hope ShoutBox will become a strong platform for youth participation, democracy and feedback. We hope to continue to work with the young people to develop ShoutBox as a long-term project. ShoutBox aims to become a long-term platform for delivering youth democracy. We would like to develop it to become a separate organisation as our members mature. We are looking at expanding to online and mobile platforms, and at other ways to deliver ShoutBox, as part of school curriculums for example.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Scotland Glasgow City Kyle Thornton, 18, Member of Youth Parliament The Scottish Youth Parliament elections, held every two years, took place in Glasgow Southside between 11th-15th March to elected two MSYPs for the constituency.

I was proud to have been re-elected for Glasgow Southside and to continue working hard for 12-25 year olds in the city. The election also is a fantastic way of hearing from young people about the real issues they face in their lives and what they want their representatives to focus on for the next two years. From the campaign several issues have emerged as priorities for me as a local MSYP: Working with local police to review the use of stop and search powers in the local area many young people I talked to felt that police were abusing their powers and stopping young people for no apparent reason, and also refusing to give young people a reason for stopping them. I want to bring police and young people in the area together to discuss these issues.

Continuing the Youth Work Fund - over the last two years, I worked to help secure a youth program for the area which is investing over ÂŁ32,000 a year extra into local youth work organisations. Young people have told me that this is a priority for them and I'll be working hard to protect the program.

Bringing the independence debate to young people - as a MSYP, I've heavily supported Votes at 16 in the referendum. In the election, the vast majority of young people were pleased that 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote but they expressed concerns that they weren't able to engage with the issue. I'll be working hard to set up a series of debates which will bring both sides together to discuss with young people why their campaign is right.

I'll be working hard to make progress on these issues and more over the coming months!

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Wales Caerphilly Connor Dimmick, Support Worker Caerphilly Youth Forum has been working on their priority issue for this year, which is under the Environment theme. The young people of Caerphilly Borough voted leisure as their top priority to tackle. The issue is “Leisure - We need better facilities & more activity choices for all at a lower cost, and advertising needs improving.�

The young people have been working on this issue, meeting with leisure management within Caerphilly Borough. The young people have promoted their views and opinions on how to improve the service for young people and other users. They suggested a re-launch of the current smart card, which is a card for people to access leisure and library services, as a phone app. This would have all kinds of features to keep track of your attendance, exercise, etc. They also suggested putting a rewards system in place, to encourage the use of leisure facilities. Also improving the awareness of what is on offer from leisure services.

From last years priority issue the first outdoor Gym/ Park has been put into Caerphilly Borough.

The young people recommended exercise classes to be run on the outdoor gym, which they will trail over Easter half term. They also then want to consult with people, to see if they would use parks like this in their areas.

The group also wrote to Sports Wales stating the free swim initiative in Wales should be changed from young people up to the age of 16, to 18 year olds. They felt this was only fair as the UNCRC covers children up to the age of 18 years. They also acknowledged that free swim would give young people a chance to get involved in physical activity and could also reduce anti social behaviour. Sports Wales wrote back to the Youth Forum stating they had no additional funding, but encouraged them to trail it within Caerphilly Borough. The youth forum promoted this to leisure services and they have agreed to trail free swim for young people up to 18 years old, during the summer.

Our Chair of the Youth Forum Lewis Harding presented our priority issue to Caerphilly Cabinet members. The feedback from the meeting was positive and members were impressed with the young people views. They agreed to support the youth forum in tackling the issue and have

Youth Voice: Positive Stories agreed to put money towards a rewards system within leisure services. They are also keen to look at the phone app, but need costs from leisure services to consider this.

The Junior Forums issues were also presented to Cabinet as the children made a digital story to inform decision makers of the issues they raised. The four issues raised by the children were – Empty Buildings should be used for the benefit of the community: Litter & Dog Fouling: Bullying: Smoking. The digital story consisted of children’s drawings of their fours issues and their views on the issues.

Lee Kabza, Support Worker Caerphilly Youth Forum film snaps up Zoom Film Festival Award!

A film made by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Youth Forum recently won the Best Documentary prize at the Zoom Wales’ International Young People’s Film Festival.

The winning film, entitled "Protect our Parks", was produced to highlight the issue that the Youth Forum voted as their Priority Issue last year. It highlighted a message to the council that money spent on repairing vandalised play equipment could be better spent on new facilities for the young people of Caerphilly county borough.

The Zoom Film Festival celebrates films made by young people from across Wales and beyond aged between 8 and 25. Films are submitted, shortlisted and selected by the Zoom Youth Film Council and a panel consisting of Industry Filmmakers and organisations. In selecting the winners the panel looks for originality, authenticity and creativity.

Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education, commented, "Winning this award is the cherry on top of a fantastic year for the Youth Forum. Working in collaboration with the Council, the young people in the Youth Forum have been instrumental in helping Caerphilly become the first local authority to implement smoke free parks across the county borough.

Well done to the whole team for their impressive and well deserved award!"

The film also resulted in the new outdoor gym equipment being installed at the Cefn Fforest Showfields, following a visit by the Youth Forum to a similar site in Cardiff Bay. Visit www.youth4u.co.uk to view the film or for more information about Caerphilly Youth Service.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Youth on Board Awards The Youth on Board (YOB) Awards are an exclusively youth-led rolling award scheme that recognises innovative and exciting youth participation, both from young people and the projects and organisations that support them.

BYC's membership of young people wanted to celebrate the benefits of involving young people and encourage more organisations to engage young people in their work.

For more details and how to nominate, see here: http://www.byc.org.uk/trainingservices/awards/youth-on-board-awards.aspx

Inspiring Project Award Criteria for the award: You’ll need to demonstrate how a project has successfully engage young people and has met at least THREE of these criteria: Supported youth participation in decision-making Enabled young people to make a significant positive contribution at a local, national or international level Allowed young peoples’ creativity to shine Inspired, empowered and encouraged the involvement of young people from a range of backgrounds Increased youth leadership and given young people a voice in how the organisation is run

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Name of Organisation / Project: Bolton Youth Council The Bolton Youth Council is made up of a diverse group of 25, 12-24 year olds and has been working together for around 3 years. The council has brought together young people from a variety of backgrounds to ensure that the group can fairly represent all young people in Bolton including young people in Care, young people living independently and young asylum seekers.

The group meet on a weekly basis as a minimum but will increase this in the lead up to an event. Although the group itself is only made up of 25 their wide reach in the community and those young people that they represent was highlighted in a recent campaign they undertook where they were able to gain 3000 signatures in support of their Youth Unemployment work.

The work they undertake is diverse and has recently ranged from a Political Speed Rating event where young people were able to voice their opinions directly to councillors, and vice versa, through to the filming and production of a DVD to highlight the problems of bullying.

In terms of their participation in decision making their input is clear to see and the best example was when, following a meeting with ofsted, two youth councillors were asked to sit on a newly formed Anti-bullying steering group to represent the voice of young people in Bolton.

They also met with Exec Members of the adult council to speak about unemployment and were able to put forward a motion that was first debated and then passed at the next full council meeting. As well as representing the views of young people at this higher level of decision making the group also carries out a lot of work in the community on a more personal level and are currently helping a Children in Care Council perform a Flash Mob dance at their Children in Care Celebration Evening.

Name of Organisation / Project: The Chatterboxes, Bournemouth YMCA The Chatterboxes is a youth led magazine which is designed and created by young disabled people living in Bournemouth. The project, which consists of 30 young people aged 11-19 years old, aims to showcase what activities are available in the local area for young people with disabilities as well showcasing individual youth achievements and educate their community about disabilities. The group also run training events for professionals from local organisations to help them improve their understanding of disabilities and develop skills on how to support young disabled people. Not only was the idea for the magazine generated by the needs of young people but since this time the project has always used a youth led model.

Young people are at the heart of every decision made and they all have specific roles within the group to match their specific skills. It gives them the chance to really have a voice in the community when before they felt they were not listened to. The magazine not only allows the public to see and recognise the contribution that young people with disabilities can make within their community but it also helps to change the public’s perceptions. The project has

Youth Voice: Positive Stories empowered these young people in a number of ways, not only has it given them a voice to help educate the public but it has also allowed the members of the group to grow and develop as individuals. Many of the young people were unable to speak unless on a 1:1 basis when they started but through their work and continued peer mentoring these people are now passionate about having their voices heard. The magazine also acts as an inspiration to other young people in the community who have disabilities who aren’t involved directly in the project. With sections like “Inspiring Young People” and “Things we have done” it is a huge proponent of what these young people can and do achieve.

Name of Organisation / Project: Elm Tree Project X This project was set up in response to demonstrations and protests carried out by young people in the Stockton area due what they considered their unfair criminalisation. These are young people who had been receiving AS13 letters as a consequence of them gathering to skate or bike in public places. As a result of the growing tension between the young people and the local community Elm Tree Community Centre, Local Councillors, Police, Residents Associations, the Youth Service and the young people themselves held a series of meetings.

The outcome was that they would apply, successfully, to the Crime Innovation Fund to open an indoor skate park. This park now has 450 young members from right across the borough and not only allows these people to practice their sport in a safe environment but has also improved the relationship of the whole community. The project has used this environment and the fact that so many young people gather together to encourage them to take part in other community based projects. A number of those involved have undertaken qualifications so that they can work for the park, some have undertaken training qualifications and others have used local events to demonstrate their sport as a genuine sport and not as a by product of them hanging around in public causing trouble for residents.

The young people have also set up their own steering group which meets monthly in order to take control of the project and continually review its guidelines and procedures. They have also opened up their own bank account and are currently applying for additional funding to pay for improvements to the park. They have also attended BYC regional events to learn how to have their voices heard on a regional level so that they can share their experiences and successes on a wider scale. This is a project that has both solved it’s anti social behaviour problem involving wheeled sports, something borne out by police statistics, but also acts as a case study of what can be achieved when a community listens to, and acts on, the views and feelings of its young people.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Name of Organisation / Project: Buckinghamshire Young Inspectors The Young Inspectors group is made up of 8 young people aged 13 – 19 years old (up to 25 with specific needs) and is at the heart of decision making for services and organisations. Although they had intially been set up to pilot the project within the councils own youth services the instant success of the group means they have already had 2 paid for inspections from outside organisations. When the group inspects a service or organistion it is the young people who are wholly responsible. They design the inspection methods including surveys or interviews, they collect the data, make the recommendations and then follow up to ensure that the recommendations.

Each of the young inspectors reports their findings which are collated into a single set of findings about the service or activity. In order to be able to carry out this work effectively the inspectors have been undertaking training and are currently working towards the Award of Personal Effectiveness with ASDAN. There impact at a local level is almost self evident with their ability to ensure that activities and services in their local community are developed with a real consideration of the needs and opinions of the young people that they serve. They will also be engaging on a national level when they undertake the council peer review programme which will see them reviewing another council somewhere else in the country.

The young people are given the opportunity to come up with innovative ways of gathering evidence during their inspections. One of the ways that they have come up with is to develop a quick questionnaire for use on an iPad. They felt that they needed a way that they could get end users to input into their findings but new that if it was a long process they were likely to receive a smaller response. As such this new and innovative method has solved the problem that they encountered.

They are also given all decision making responsibilities and one key example of this is demonstrated when a request for an inspection comes in. As not all inspectors will be invovled in every inspection they are required to split into groups, choose a leader (although this will be rotated) decide on how to inspect the service and then individually how each of them choose to present their findings. The ethos of the group to ensure representation means that the group is made up of young people from mixed backgrounds of abilities, gender and ethnic backgrounds.

Name of Organisation / Project: The Social Entrepreneur Challenge The Social Entrepreneur Challenge (SEC) is a project which aims to develop the skills and aspiriations of young people through enterprise. It arose in the wake of the 2011 London riots and aimed to challenege a lot of negative sterotypes that surrounded young people at the time.They work with a number of schools and currently engage with around 2740 people aged 6 – 18 years old. The projects work by immersing students in the world of social enterprise and

Youth Voice: Positive Stories provides them with the tools to set up their own community prohects. It works by getting students to work in teams to first identify issues and problems in their local community and then coming up with ideas of how to resolve these.

They are taught to map out resources and funding and then to create promotional materials to advertise their project to a wider audience. The groups then present their plans to other students, parents and members of the community who vote for their favourite idea. The winning group is then able to develop their project ideas with the support of professional business partners. The project as a whole has really helped schools to promote youth participation by providing learning resources to inspire and support students who wish to contribute directly to their school or local community.

It has also been noted that by uniting over 2000 students from across a number of different schools the project has managed to strengthen links not only between schools but between schools and their local communties. The format used of youth led projects is then reflected in the types of projects that the groups come up with. One group, for example, were keen to run an after-school club for younger students whilst another wanted to set up a student-led support service to advise fellow students on academic and personal problems – demonstrating the lasting impression of being involved in the SEC youth led model. It is has not just been about breaking negative stereotypes and building stronger links with the community but has also empowered young people and allowed them to grow and develop on an individual basis as well. By being given the right tools and support they learn that they are able to have a very real and very positive impact on their local community.

Name of Organisation / Project: Hull Young Peoples Parliament The Hull Young People’s Parliament (HYPP) is a project that has been running since 2006 and directly includes around 130 young people aged 10 – 25 years old. The group meets 3 times a year an attracts young people from right across the City – something that is an achievement in it self as there often exists a clear divide across the city that many young people will not cross.

This strong ethos of bringing people together from different areas and backgrounds is also refelcted in the strong representation the group has from often marginalised groups such as young people with disabilities, young people from the travelling community and young people in care. When the group meets it discusses, debates and votes on issues that have been raised by young people across the city. Some examples of this are Sexual Health concerns, Positive Body Image Concerns and Transport issues. The purpose of the group is to decide on a city wide campaign for all young people to become involved in. To ensure a wide engagement with their chosen campaign the group works closely with existing networks such as schools and youth councils.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories The three events a year that the group holds are completely youth led so from planning the day to running everything from registration through to chairing the debates is youth led. Not only has this increased their participation on these days but this has extended well beyond this and has equiped them with the confidence and skills to get involved at decision making level with their adult counterparts in the council. Young people from the group are now invivted to monthly cabinet meetings with councillors which gives a strong youth representation in council decisions.

Make a Difference Award Criteria for the award: You’ll need to demonstrate how the individual has met at least THREE of these criteria by: Making a positive impact to the running of an organisation or project.

Contributing to an organisation or project over a period of time (minimum of six months). Inspiring others.

Being inclusive to others and allowing others to have their say.

Organisation / Project: One Leisure Huntingdon Winner: Lianne Griffiths Lianne Griffiths works as a Fitness Consultant at Impressions Gym and has done so for the last 3 years. As soon as she started working there she became aware of the very low engagement with younger members of the community and set about addressing the issue. She started by carrying out taster sessions at local schools to introduce young people to different forms of physical activity and promote the benefits of exercise. She then developed these taster sessions into full PE lessons which are run throughout the year by schools and having started as a small 6 week programme this has now grown into an 80 session block per term. Not only has this increased participation in exercise by young people but there has also been a marked decrease in poor behaviour from students. This has partly been as a result of exercise but also due to the specific work done by Lianne to engage with disaffected children to help their social skills, behaviour, concentration and general well being.

Lianne has also developed an existing Young Inspectors project and now utilises them to give the young people in the area a direct voice in the development of the programme. She has also facilitated the group in developing the “Kit Leaflet” which was designed by students for students as she has always been a strong advocate of empowering young people to develop their own skills and projects. Although the impact of Lianne’s work is varied and wide ranging one great example of her success is that 300 of the students that have been involved in her

Youth Voice: Positive Stories school project now take part in leisure activities outside of the school environment. She has also inspired a number of them to go into a career in fitness.

Youth Led Award Criteria for the award: You’ll need to demonstrate how the organisation has met at least THREE of these criteria by: Been youth-led over the last 6 months.

Leadership of young people has made a positive impact at a local, national or international level.

Proactively allowed youth-led decision-making and a youth voice to shine through all of its work.

Involved a diverse range of young people.

Organisation / Project: England Netball Youth Advisory Group (YAG) The YAG consists of 13 members all aged between 16-24 years old and come from both different regions and diverse netballing backgrounds. Since they were founded in 2009 the group has worked tirelessly to act as the voice for the national governing bodies youth demographic. They meet around 4 times a year in person to debate and decide on issues ranging from playing to volunteering and safegaurding to merchandise. In order to ensure that the group can fairly represent the views of the wide range of young people that they represent they have implemented a number of ways of gaging the wider opinions of the group they represent. As well as using such things as their website, surveys and other research methods they also work closely with the Youth Advisors scheme which allows them to gather a wide range of views before making their case to the national governing body.

The Youth Advisors is a scheme that the group created to allow young netball players from across England to feed their opinions and feelings into the central group. There have so far been 700 young people who have taken up the opportunity to become a Youth Advisor to the group. The group has always ensured that it is a totally youth led activity and this was highlighted recently when the group lost it’s Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary in quick succession.

The group initiated the process to find candidates, vote and instate new young people into these roles.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories The group also has an adult member from England Netball to ensure that they can maintain a close relationship with the governing body and their adult counterparts. This close relationship means that YAG is able to scrutinize and regulate all youth related matters undertaken by Netball England. Although the impact that the group is having is hugely wide ranging some of the key results have been made around safegaurding. Having worked in close collaboration with NSPCC the group produced “Be Safe” cards which have now been received by over 75,000 young netball players. They also created the “Pass On Your Passion” scheme which recognises the efforts of young people who volunteer their time to help run netball in their local area.

They also continue their work on an Interntational level and having asissted with running events act as ambassadors for England.

Organisation / Project: Joint Grimsby YPSS, Young Advisors, Council for YP & UKYP – Transport During 2012 the Young Advisors joined up with the Council for Young People and UKYP members on a transport campaign. There was a strong sense amongst young people in the area that the cost of public transport was a real issue and this is where the motivation and idea came from to run a transport campaign. They started by meeting with Stagecoach managers and having presented their case so successfully Stagecoach agreed to a trial of reducing the day rider price for young people. Having managed to reach this agreement the young people then set about publicising this and during the summer holidays (when the trial ran) 21,630 of these reduced price tickets were sold which equates to a 50% increase in sales. This has allowed young people in the area to access more activities and made socialising with friends and familiy in the area much easier.

As well as this very specific success the group also has an input into wider ranging activities such as being involved in the selection process for senior managers including the LSCB Chair person and the Director for People and Communities at the North East Lincolnshire Council.

They also write a weekly column in the Grimsby Telegraph to ensure a continued young voice in the community. Alongside this they have used their national website to ensure that this positive case study can reach a wider, national audience to encourage others to do the same in their area. The group has always endeavoured to ensure that they are a representative voice and having been aware that young people with disabilities have a specific experience of public transport carried out targeted work to ensure that young people with disabilities are represented. This inclusivity stretches beyond this specific group however and they have drawn knowledge and experience from a diverse group of young people both in terms of their location and their backgrounds or current situations.

Youth Voice: Positive Stories

Organisation / Project: The Children’s Coach The Children’s Coach runs personnel development programmes for young people. Students initially undertake the programme whilst at junior school and have successfully completed it they are then able to become a student coach once they move to high school. The project is currently made up of 10 student coaches who are at the heart of the organisation and are responsible for creating programmes which they then deliver through their own centre and also out at other schools. They have produced a number of programmes during their time, the first of which was called “reach for the stars” which involved learning a new practical skill each week to help young people with their confidence. The have also produced a programme called little leaders which is a session they run at infant school to introduce them to leadership skills.

Having also identified the move between year 6 and year 7 as an often troubled transition they wrote “moving on up” which is designed to aid children in the transition to the senior school.

As well as producing and delivering these types of programmes the young coaches also produced a handbook so that every child had a chance to benefit from their work and this was focused on what they would need to know about moving from primary to secondary school. It is not just this work with school children that the group undertakes, however, and they carry out a lot of fundraising activities to help support local charities. Each term they choose a different charity to support and then run events such as a charity film night to raise funds for them. These young people not only teach essential skills to other young people in their community through the programme delivery but also act as positive role models through their charitable work. Within the group each young coach has a specific role, such as finance officer, and this has allowed for their own personal development alongside helping others to develop.

Apart from a single teacher who supports the group it is completely run by young people and when extra assistance is needed they always recruit other young people to help.

Innovation Award Criteria for the award: You’ll need to demonstrate how an innovation has met at least THREE of these criteria: Increased an organisation’s ability to work with young people and support youth participation in decision-making Enabled young people to make a significant positive contribution at a local, national or international level Allowed young peoples’ creativity to shine

Youth Voice: Positive Stories Inspired, empowered and encouraged the involvement of young people from a range of backgrounds.

Increased youth leadership and given young people a voice in how the organisation is run

Organisation / Project: Project Phakama UK & the Velela! project Velela! is a recent project undertaken by Project Phakama which is a youth arts organisation.

The Velela! project was a two week long pop-up festival which brought together young people from across the world and gave them space to explore some of the most pressing social, economical, political and environemental challenges of our time through workshops, debates, activities and perfrormances. The festival itself was hosted by groups of young people from England, Wales, Ireland, Basque Country, Portuga, Poland, Turkey, India and Holland. They all lived and worked together, explored, debated and learnt from one another. The project was unique in the fact that it brought together these young people not only from across the world but also from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not normally have the opportunity to travel to london or to work with people from other countries. This has meant that not only were young people able to develop their own skills in terms of performances, presentation, debating and running workshops but also helped them to develop their ability to work with people from widely varied backgrounds.

Due to the range of young people involved the wide ranging impact of the event was all but garaunteed. Not only did it have a positive affect on those who were able to attend but as these young people came from across the world they were able to take the things they learnt back to a very wide audience in their home countries. Many of them have in fact returned home and set up small projects off the back of the activities they undertook during the festival.

The group from Portugal, for example, went on a “water march” to raise awareness of the importance of keeping their rivers clean whilst the UK group are looking at setting up a heritage project around the River Thames and are delievering projects to primary schools on this topic.

Velela! Also provided the opportunity to showcase other innovative projects and businesses which have been set up and run by other young people. There were three new companies which have been set up and run by young people who were able to present their ‘works in progress’ to a public audience for the first time.

Organisation / Project: One Leisure Huntingdon One Leisure is a project that has focused on trying to tackle the low engagement that the local leisure facilities have with younger members of the community. It started by carrying out taster sessions at local schools to introduce young people to different forms of physical activity and promote the benefits of exercise. It then developed these taster sessions into full PE lessons

Youth Voice: Positive Stories which are run throughout the year by schools and having started as a small 6 week programme this has now grown into an 80 session block per term.

Not only has this increased participation in exercise by young people but there has also been a marked decrease in poor behaviour from students. This has partly been as a result of exercise but also due to the specific work done by the One Leisure project to engage with disaffected children to help their social skills, behaviour, concentration and general well being. The project has also developed an existing Young Inspectors project and now utilises them to give the young people in the area a direct voice in the development of the programme.

One Leisure has also developed the “Kit Leaflet� which was designed by students for students as the emphasis of the project has always been to empower young people to develop their own skills and projects. Although the impact of One Leisure is varied and wide ranging one great example of its success is that 300 of the students that have been involved in its school project now take part in leisure activities outside of the school environment. The work done by One Leisure has also inspired a number of them to go into a career in fitness.