Devon County Council

From Louise Raymond, Exeter 383578, November 14, 2008

AN EVENT held last week gave young people the chance to discuss important issues with decision-makers in the town.

The event coincided with Youth Work Week, in which the theme was 'Promoting Young People's Voice and influence'.

Exmouth youth workers from Devon County Council's Youth Service held the event at Exmouth Town Hall, where they and town councillors met with young people to discuss issues that concern them, as well as what could be done together to make the town a better place for all.

Seven young people aged from 14 - 18yrs from Devon Youth Service projects and from EC Youth in Exmouth and five elected members met to discuss issues based around the following themes;

• The safety of Young People in Exmouth
• Things to do in Exmouth - what is already available and what would be good to see in Exmouth
• The Image of Young People in Exmouth
• The Environment - Built and Natural, our vision for the future

The aim of the event was to engage a group of young people from a variety of backgrounds in discussion with elected members about issues relating to the local community that they are passionate about. It is hoped that this event will lead to the setting up of a youth council for the town.

All of the young people currently make a positive contribution to their local community by volunteering in clubs and groups with the aim of helping and supporting others.

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, Cllr John Smith, said: "This event was a great opportunity for young people to exercise their right to express their views and have their opinions taken into account.

"The evening was a positive start to what is hoped to be an ongoing dialogue between councillors and young people from the town - the young people raised many points and some positive actions should come from the evening."

Ends

Note to news eds:

People involved in the event were:

Young people: Kyle Montgomery, Karl Handscomb, Ashley O'Hara, Step Rice, Rachel Townsend, Kelly Mathews, Ella Singleton.

Local Youth Work Team - Lyndsay Pickering, Barry Trevett Karin De'Burgh, Team Leader for East Devon Lisa Rutter

Elected members: Pauline Stott (Halsdon ward), Steve Gazzard (Town ward), Pat Graham (Town ward), Joy Whipps (Halsdon ward and Exmouth Mayor), Brenda Taylor (Withycombe Raleigh)

Town Clerk: John Wokenstien

Held annually since 1993, Youth Work Week serves to encourage a focused period of themed activities for youth workers, while also raising the profile of the youth service as a whole. The aim is to celebrate the contribution of youth work to the development of young people and to highlight the positive roles played by young people in their communitites.