Youth Engagement

The Mayor of SEAFORD opened Seaford’s Civic Reception at The Mercread Youth Centre in early October, welcoming the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Richard Bickersteth, and other dignitaries, representatives from partnership organisations and authorities, and members of the public. The Mayor and Young Mayor of Seaford set the scene, introducing their chosen charities of The Mercread Youth Centre, The Youth Counselling Project, RNLI, and Seaford Lifeguards. The Youth Counselling Project detailed its vital service to the young people of Seaford and how it has been supporting more than 80 young people struggling with their mental health. Young Mayor of Seaford’s charities then presented their work. Starting with RNLI, which turns 200 next year, followed by Seaford Lifeguards highlighting the importance of safe and responsible swimming, explaining the invaluable work of the variety of roles within Seaford Lifeguards.

L-R: Fire Cadet Simon Wild, Serjeant at Mace Peter White, Deputy Mayor of Seaford Sally Markwell, Mayor of Seaford Olivia Honeyman, The High Sheriff of East Sussex Richard Bickersteth, Young Mayor of Seaford Nia Waite, Deputy Young Mayor of Seaford Ella Yulle, and Fire Cadet Jasmine Shelley

 Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024

UPGRADE FOR YOUTH SHELTER

SANDY Town Council, Bedfordshire, is supporting the provision for young people in their town by replacing the current youth shelter. Contractor Play and Leisure installed the new youth shelter at Bedford Road Recreation Ground in November. The company also installed two anti-dog gates at Fallowfield the same day. The shelter aims to provide teenagers a place to ‘hang out’, socialise and watch nearby sports games. The design enables it be expanded to provide a meeting place and/or exercise centre for all ages in the future if needed.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024

MAYOR EMBARKS ON RECORD THIRD TERM

The mayor of FARNHAM in Surrey, Cllr Alan Earwaker, renewed his promises of office for the third year running at his Civic Service on 9 July. He is the only councillor in the history of Farnham Town Council to have held the mayoral office for three consecutive years. During this new mayoral year, Cllr Earwaker has chosen a theme of “working together with the community, supporting young people”. In honour of his mission, he invited school representatives, community organisations and individuals who help deliver support to the community to be a part of his service. He said: “It is an immense privilege to be serving the community of Farnham for a third year. I am looking forward to seeing more of the fantastic work that our community does to make Farnham the place it is.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2023

AWARDS

At their recent town council forum, the mayor and young mayor of SEAFORD celebrated those in the community providing exceptional support and services to people in and around the area. The 'Young Mayor’s Award' was presented to Amelia Woodgate for her volunteer work at the Seaford Down's Syndrome and Special Needs Group.
The 'Jean Cash Environment Award' went to Friends of Blatchington Pond, for their work in caring for the pond and surrounding wildlife.'Coastal Environment Champion' was Miriam Thundercliffe, for promoting environmental awareness. The 'Sporting Achievement Award' was won by Ocean Dadventure, for rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Wolo Foundation. The 'Seaford Town Hero went to Gemma McFarlane, for initiatives such as Sharing Skills CIC, the Repair Café, and the Pre-Loved Uniform Exchange.'Community Charity Champions' were The Youth Counselling Project (pictured), for their work helping young people who need mental health support, and The 'Don Mabey Award' was given to Miranda Bearns-Lowles, for delivering outstanding events for the town including this year’s Coronation Festival.

Clerks & Councils Direct July 2023

NALC AWARD FOR PANDEMIC HERO

CLLR Stefan Heighway of GREAT DAWLEY Town Council in Shropshire won the NALC Young Councillor of the Year Award in late October. He was first elected to the council in 2015 aged 26 and became mayor in 2020 at the age of 31, serving a two-year term. During the pandemic, Cllr Heighway helped to deliver breakfast parcels to families on free school meals and hot meals to those who were isolated. He attended food parcel collection services across the parish to remain visible, helped with signposting to partner agencies and services and hosted online videos to maintain communication with community members. When restrictions were lifted, he helped to host welcome back events for the community and visited shops and businesses to thank those who had worked hard during lockdown. He said: “It’s an absolute honour to receive this award. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout the years – it is truly appreciated.

Clerks & Councils Direct January 2023

THUMBS UP FOR KIDS’ GREEN FINGERS

FARNHAM Town Council in Surrey held its Farnham in Bloom Community Awards on 5 October to celebrate its volunteers’ horticultural achievements. The ceremony included special prizes for local schools. The mayor, Cllr Alan Earwaker, said: “Schools play a vital role in the Farnham entry to Britain in Bloom and South and South East in Bloom. Children from nursery age up to teenagers contribute through their school gardens, wildlife gardens and competitions. Getting youngsters gardening is great fun, complements their education and is an investment for future years.” The winner of the schools’ Bloomin’ Biodiversity award was Potters Gate Church of England Primary School, while Rowledge C of E School grew both the tallest sunflower and the biggest pumpkin. “Congratulations to all the schools that won prizes and thank you to all the children, parents and school staff who helped schools participate,” said the mayor.

Clerks & Councils Direct November 2022

STAR NOMINATION

Cllr Adam Duce, a member of GODALMING Town Council and deputy mayor of the Surrey town, has been named as a finalist in the Young Councillor of the Year category in NALC’s Star Council Awards 2022. He was nominated for his work in seeing through the Broadwater Youth Centre from being just an idea to a facility with nearly 300 young people on its books. The prestigious awards are the only ones in England that recognise the local (parish and town) council sector. They celebrate the positive contribution that local councils, councillors, clerks and county associations make to their communities. The winners will be announced at an online awards ceremony later this year.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

APPRECIATION FOR COMMUNITY EFFORTS

At KIRTON IN LINDSEY Town Council, we are working with Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Bronze Award students from the local Huntcliff Academy to offer voluntary work, which forms part of the attainment of their DoE Award. In May the students volunteered to help refresh the railings around the town’s war memorial. They spent the morning preparing the railings by cleaning them, including the removal of lichen, and then repainting them in black and gold. This was in time for the town’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. At the end of June, the students returned to carry out more cleaning and painting, this time of the bollards and chain link fencing around the town green, supported by members of academy staff. The students were a credit to themselves, to Huntcliff and to the community in helping with this work for the benefit of everyone. The council is proud of such local community efforts, and has received keen interest from a number of our local youth organisations to help with other projects across the town. These have included tidying and preparation work by the local Brownies, Guides and Scouts ahead of a visit in July by the In Bloom judges. There was also assistance from the local fire station crew, who we’re sure will be happy to be included under the banner of youth organisations! Thank you to everyone who has become involved recently.

Neil Taylor-Matson, Town Clerk Kirton in Lindsey Town Council, North Lincolnshire

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

YOUNGSTERS GRADUATE TO WORLD OF WORK

Seven young people with learning disabilities and autism graduated in early August from the DFN Project SEARCH programme, a transition to work scheme run in partnership with KIRKLEES Council and Kirklees College in West Yorkshire. The graduates received their certificates in front of their families and rotation managers. The council expects that most of the first cohort of interns will successfully transition into sustained employment, with four of the seven already having secured paid work. Council leader Cllr Shabir Pandor said: “Huge congratulations are in order for our Project SEARCH interns. It’s been such a pleasure to welcome them to the council, but we are equally excited to wish them well on the next steps in their employment journey.” He added: “We want to give all young people in Kirklees the best start in life. Project SEARCH has given us the opportunity to welcome young people with learning disabilities and help them achieve their potential. It is a shining example of what individuals can achieve when they are given the space to grow, and the skills and confidence they need to achieve their ambitions.” The authority plans to continue supporting the programme. Young people who would like to get involved must be between 18 and 24 and have an education, health and care (EHC) plan in place.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

NEW SKATE FACILITY READY FOR ACTION

WEYMOUTH Town Council in Dorset opened its new skatepark and parkour facility at the end of April, ahead of schedule. The £358,000 facility was built by local company Maverick. It includes a variety of features for skaters, BMXers and scooter riders in a space that they helped to design themselves. Alongside it is a separate bespoke parkour area for the local free running community. A special event to celebrate the opening of the new facility is planned for 2 July. Council leader Cllr David Harris said: “The idea behind this was always to create a community space that provides a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for people of all ages to have some fun. This is our way of showing the community, especially younger people, that we care about them and want to give them spaces where they can socialise and thrive.”

Clerks & Councils Direct July 2022

NEW YOUTH CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS

BILLINGSHURST Parish Council has partnered with Sussex Clubs for Young People (SYCP) to open a new youth space in the West Sussex town. The Depot was officially opened on 11 June, the name reflecting the building’s previous use as a booking office for a coach garage. It fills a void in youth provision caused when the previous Youth Wing at The Weald School was closed in 2011. The council purchased the empty building on the High Street in autumn 2018 and renovated it using Section 106 funds from Horsham District Council. Work was held up by the Covid-19 pandemic and by the discovery of asbestos, but the upstairs is now let to a tenant while The Depot occupies the ground floor. It offers a coffee bar-type chill room, alongside social and educational activities. Parish council chairman Cllr Paul Berry (pictured right) and Peter Gooch, chairman of SYCP (left), hosted the opening ceremony and BBQ. Cllr Berry said: “I would like to thank my councillor colleagues for having the foresight to invest in this facility. However, councillors have the easy job really and it is the clerk Greg Burt and his team who have to then carry out decisions, and there are few things more difficult than purchasing property and dealing with leases, etc, so thank you to them.

WORKING TO ENGAGE NEXT GENERATION

CLLR Angela Snell, vice-chairman of WEALDEN District Council in East Sussex, went back to the classroom recently with a visit to Alfriston community primary school. She was welcomed to an assembly by headteacher Lindsey Hudson and spoke to children and staff about the work of the council. Year 3 and 4 students actively engaged in questions about being a councillor and what it entails. The children are already involved in local litterpicks organised by the authority. Cllr Snell said: “It was a real pleasure to visit such a warm and welcoming school. The students were engaged and incredibly responsive during the discussion.”

Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022

FOCUS ON SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

CHESTERFIELD Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield hosted the sixth annual Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference on 9 February, with support from D2N2 Careers Hub. The conference, held in Staveley, brought together business leaders and education providers to address the future employability and skills of young people in the region.
Around 100 people attended, including students from Springwell Community College. The conference followed the Department for Education’s announcement last year that it plans to reform post-16 technical education and training. More than 16,000 students in the region are set to gain GCSE and A-Level qualifications in the next five years.
Cllr Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of the borough council, said: “One in four young people falls out of their post-16 education choice at age 17. We must ensure that young people get the right information at 16 and that they make an informed decision to take up the correct training provision for their own future.”

Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022

Left to right: project manager Claire Austin, assistant youth worker Matthew Wonnacott, Hugh Peacocke, CEO of Newbury Town Council, and town mayor Cllr Billy Drummond

FUNDING BOOST FOR YOUTH PROJECT

NEWBURY Town Council in Berkshire has given £2,500 to the Community Youth Project (CYP) via The Good Exchange charity platform, with match funding from the Greenham Trust, taking the total to £5,000. The project, based at Greenham Community Centre, delivers after-school youth clubs and activities and trips during the school holidays. Council leader Cllr Martin Colston said: “It is a priority of this council to support local youth. CYP provides very valuable support to young people in Greenham and surrounding areas, and we are delighted to be able to contribute towards their work.” According to Claire Austin, project manager at CYP, demand for its services has doubled since the pandemic began, leading to the opening of more youth clubs and an expansion of its catchment area. It now offers free meals at all sessions to promote healthy eating, and in the summer holidays provided 515 spaces on activities and trips, as well as welcoming 160 people to a family fun day.

 Clerks & Councils Direct January 2022

VOTE WINNER

MARLOW Town Council in Buckinghamshire hosted a mock election for Marlow CofE School on 5 November, as part of its project “A Taste of Democracy”, which aims to raise awareness of democracy and the voting process in local schools. The mayor, Cllr Richard Scott, visited the school before the election and talked about the importance of voting, and the children then campaigned for their favourite sweet treat. Voting took place using real polling booths and ballot boxes, and members of the school council helped with the count. The winner was revealed to be rocky road, and council officers brought hundreds of the cakes into school for everyone to enjoy. Headteacher Sharon Reynolds said: “The project brought the concept of elections alive for our pupils in a meaningful way. It was tailored well to the age of the pupils and they were really engaged throughout.”

 Clerks & Councils Direct January 2022

PARK PARTNERSHIP TO ENGAGE YOUTH

FIELDS IN TRUST has partnered with green space charity Groundwork and the National Youth Agency on the Future Proof Parks programme, which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project supports friends of parks groups and young people to work together in a series of innovative projects that will support heritage parks and widen understanding of their importance. The aim is to encourage young people to join their local friends groups and volunteer to preserve and celebrate local spaces that matter to communities The three-year programme has been awarded funding through the Fund’s Kick the Dust programme, which aims to enable more young people to get involved in the UK's heritage. The charity has also produced a series of “How To” guides to working with young people. These are designed to support green space volunteer groups in working with youngsters aged 14–24, and provide an introduction to key considerations when including teenagers and young adults in activities.

Clerks & Councils Direct November 2021

ECO CONFERENCE ON KIDS’ CONCERNS

PUPILS from 11 primary schools in and around MARLOW in Buckinghamshire pledged to help the environment during the town’s first ever schools eco conference, held online on 12 July. The event was led by Kevin Ford, head teacher at Great Marlow School, and organised by a volunteer group coordinated by Phil Irving of Sustainable Marlow, the town council’s environmental programme.
The aim was to inspire and motivate children to work together to tackle local and global environmental challenges, and it marked the start of an ongoing eco programme across all the town’s schools. Local environmental groups and national experts created videos for the event, including naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall and Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency.
Before the conference, primary schools were invited to share their key issues and projects, and these were collated into themes by secondary school students and posters were produced. Primary school groups then discussed the themes and agreed on their top priorities. Across schools, the top five were making homes for bees, more recycling, creating wildlife gardens and nature corridors and becoming plastic-free.
Individual schools pledged to work on many other projects, including creating eco-teams, reducing food waste, doing more outdoor learning, using solar energy, making vegetable patches, turning off screens, walking and cycling more, and encouraging fair trade.
Kevin Ford said: “Small local actions can make a big difference and we can achieve great things by working as one on shared priorities that the children themselves have decided on. I look forward to exchanging ideas and supporting each other when the new school year starts in the autumn.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2021

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

Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2021

TALES FROM LOCKDOWN

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

Clerks & Councils Direct January 2021

CHARITY BIKE RIDE

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

Clerks & Councils Direct November 2020

KIDS GET BUSY IN THE KITCHEN

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

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

SEAFORD YOUNG MAYOR

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

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

Molly Taylor

YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON PARISH COUNCIL

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

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

Chloe Sharp

YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON PARISH COUNCIL

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

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

CHALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

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

Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2020

NEW APPRENTICES GET STUCK IN

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

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

Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2020

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FOR YOUNG LEADER

SEVENOAKS Youth Councillor Gabrielle Tan, from Kent, has been presented with two prestigious awards, set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. Following her receipt of a Diana Award in July, Gabby has received a Diana Legacy Award for her dedication to advocating for a healthier planet and educational equality. A panel of judges selected 20 young people from across the world to receive one of these awards, which are bestowed every two years and celebrate the achievements of 20 outstanding young leaders, visionaries and role models. Gabby is part of the UK Student Climate Network and an advocate for the Global Schools Program. She represented the UK and Malaysia on the World Oceans Day You

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