The Malpas Young Persons Parish Council

In Malpas, the small village where I live, there is not much for young people to do. However, we are not totally deprived. About five years ago our own senior parish council decided to introduce a junior council, which would make decisions on youth projects and assist the senior council in any way. So far we have helped the senior council with the issue of vandalism in our village, improving the facilities for keeping our streets clean and helping to initiate ideas for a dirt track for BMX biking.

 

I have been a member of the youth council for three years; during this time we have been on television twice and have received awards from the home former Home Secretary, Jack Straw, for outstanding youth development projects. We are a unique organisation as there are few youth councils as established as us in England.

 

We meet once a month at our local council building and hold proper meetings. We have a Chairman, Vice chairman and a Secretary. We lead our own meetings and discuss issues that we think a relevant to the youth of the village. Mostly we try to create a positive image for the young people of the village because at present the youth in my village have bad name due to a few individuals who cause trouble.

 

At present we are in the process of raising funds for a youth and community centre, in fact we have just sent off a National Lottery application for funds for the centre and hope to receive the result soon. The centre will be a place where young people can come and organise events or just to relax, sit down and play a few games. Inside the centre itself we hope to have computer facilities, a snack bar and some pool tables. The centre will be positioned near the middle of the village so there is easy access for young people to come and enjoy the centre. We are even thinking of setting up a minibus service to bring in young people from surrounding villages in order that they can come to the centre.

 

However, at the moment finding activities and outings for young people is extremely difficult, but hopefully the new centre will provide something for the youth of the village to do and enjoy.

 

Do you have any youth projects like this in your countries? Do you want more information about this topic? My name is Rob Clarke, Bishop Heber High School and my e-mail address is yor_kie@hotmail.com