20/10/2006 - Youth club forum hailed a success

The first ever neighbourhood forum in the county to be organised by a youth group has been hailed a success.

Last week's Stanwix Urban Neighbourhood Forum (11 October) was organised and hosted by members of the Stanwix Youth Club, who developed the agenda for the evening, arranged all of the guest speakers and chaired the event.

Stanwix Youth Club was set up three years ago with funding from the neighbourhood forum.   The forum and the youth club have remained in contact ever since and young people from the club attend every meeting.

The forum focused on 'Every Child Matters', a national strategy which aims to help children and young people be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing.

The guest speakers came from a number of groups who contribute to Every Child Matters, including the fire service, police, drugs and alcohol workers and teenage pregnancy workers.

Rebecca Farrell from the youth club said:

"I have enjoyed working towards the forum and trying to change people's opinions.   There was a good atmosphere and we were being listened to - it's nice to know there's a lot of support for us."

Fellow member Karen McKenzie said: 

"It gave us confidence, being heard by the forum."   She felt that the young people and enjoyed the experience and definitely got something out of it.

The best part for Rosie Mills was that young people were working alongside older people to achieve successful outcomes. 

County Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, the usual Forum Chair,   was pleased with how well it went.   She said:

"I was extremely impressed by the quality of the content of the meeting, and how mature the youth club members were in their presentation and handling of the meeting.

""The whole evening proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience."

ENDS

Further information from Alison Lister, media team, on 01228 606335