A group of young people representing Connexions and Gallery 37 plus from Oldham have had a busy weekend travelling the country expressing their views on issues relating to teenagers.
On 7th April Seven young people, aged 13-19 began the journey from Oldham to Gateshead to attend the National Every Child Matters Conference, which is organised and facilitated by young people.
They spent the day debating issues and attending workshops with local politicians and representatives from the Children’s Commissioners Office on issues relating to the Governments National ‘Every Child Matters’ Agenda. ‘
We talked to other young people from across the country on issues that we think are important to young people, like healthy eating, debt, and how we are represented in the media. We also got to put our opinion across to local politicians and key decision makers; It was good to see that we are being taken seriously, hopefully we will see some of our suggestions taken on board in the future’ Commented one individual.
Young Peoples Empowerment Manager from Connexions Oldham, Patricia Lyons commented, ‘It was a brilliant opportunity for our young people to talk to politicians and key stakeholders about what they find frustrating. It also demonstrated on a national level that young people in Oldham do care about what people think of them. They found it so useful that the young people are actually looking at putting on a similar local event in Oldham.’
Following the National Every Child Matters Conference, two of the young people flew down to London to attend the Gallery 37 Plus Young Peoples advisory training day at the Roundhouse Theatre, Camden, London. During this training day the young people met and worked with representatives from The National Youth Agency, Youth Music and fellow Gallery 37 Plus project participants from Bristol, Newark & Sherwood, Leeds and London.
The whole group discussed the needs and aspirations of 16-19 year old young people. Issues raised included their roles as advisors and the impact and value their contribution will make to young people participating in the Gallery 37 Plus national arts accredited summer programme during August this year.
Gallery 37 Plus is an annual programme that helps steer young people through their chosen creative disciplines with the support of specialist workers. The scheme aims to motivate young people through creativity. Building self-confidence, developing skills and nurturing talent are all key objectives of the scheme.
For more information about the Gallery 37 Plus summer programme in Oldham contact: Julie Ashforth Gallery 37 Plus Regional Coordinator 0161 770 3097 Patricia Lyons Connexions Young People’s Empowerment Manager 0161 621 9668
