Archived press release

Date Published: 29/09/06

Places are still up for grabs on an activity day for young people during the October half-term school holidays. The event is for youngsters aged 11 to 19 and takes place at the Green Park Centre in Aston Clinton from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 25 Octobe...

Places are still up for grabs on an activity day for young people during the October half-term school holidays.

The event is for youngsters aged 11 to 19 and takes place at the Green Park Centre in Aston Clinton from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 25 October.

The activity day has been organised to encourage young people to express how they feel about where they live and discuss the issues that matter most to them in their local area.

Young people will be able to express their opinions through various creative and fun ways, such as debating, graffiti, screen printing, rap and poetry. There will also be an Opinions Wall and a Video Diary Room for youngsters to record their ideas and a feedback session to give them the opportunity to discuss their views with senior representatives from the organisations that work with young people in Buckinghamshire.

Following the morning sessions, there will be a wide variety of afternoon activities for young people to enjoy including climbing, archery, mountain biking, drumming, dance and sports.

The County Youth Cabinet, made up of young people from across Buckinghamshire, has played a key role in planning the event and will also be running some of the workshops on the day.

The activity day has been jointly funded by Buckinghamshire County Council; Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe district councils; the Primary Care Trusts; and Thames Valley Police.

Councillor Margaret Morgan-Owen, Cabinet Member for Resources at AVDC, said: “The activity day offers young people a chance to consider what issues they feel are the most important to them and how they would help to solve these. For the council it's really important to get young people involved and for us to get the message across that politics really does have an impact on people's lives. I would encourage young people to attend this event – particularly those who are not involved in youth projects and who may feel their opinions aren’t being considered. This is their chance to make their voice heard.”

Councillor Marion Clayton, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to have their say – and enjoy themselves in the process. We need to know what our young people want and to involve them in the democratic process so we can deliver outcomes that are relevant to their needs. This is a chance for young people to initiate changes and work with us to see those changes through to the end. It’s a day for young people, by young people.”

Places are being given out on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Booking forms for the event are available from Ed Mallam at Buckinghamshire County Council, who can be contacted on 01296 387657 or via email at emallam@buckscc.gov.uk