NEWS RELEASES
Young people have a key role in our local life
23rd July 2004
THE Horsham Youth Council, known for short as HYPER, has been functioning for six years and what a great impact it is having.
Along with similar youth groups in Ashington, West Chiltington and Billingshurst, now young people across the District are consulted regularly on a whole range of matters that are important to the wellbeing of the community and can have a real say on how policies are shaped.
HYPER was set up initially so that the local authorities, District Council, police and health bodies could hear their concerns and take action accordingly. Recent issues have included safety measures in Horsham Park and the price of cinema tickets, but the concerns of the young go much wider into areas such as transport, crime, health and improving the environment. And they really know how to put their message across.
I have been very impressed by the range of projects HYPER members have been undertaking in the past year. They have made a very colourful video promoting the new Y Centre in Horsham, taken part in a conference on bullying, undertaken a survey to see how accessible town centre shops are, sat in on interviews for new youth workers, helped to plan a film week in October, worked with us on our intergenerational work and a host of other very useful exercises too.
It is wonderful to see that three of our members have been elected to the West Sussex Youth Cabinet for 2004-05 where they will face county wide issues.
One of the biggest issues that continues to crop up is the question of transport and we are working hard to get some initiatives underway. A mini bus scheme staffed by volunteers from the Slinfold area has been running since April and we are about to launch a pilot scheme in which young people will be able to obtain vouchers entitling them to subsidised taxi journeys to get them home in the evenings.
Other ideas are being explored at Ashington and Billingshurst and on October 2 we are staging a Community Transport Day at Billingshurst Village Hall which is going to look at transport solutions in rural areas.
I am looking forward eagerly to the annual Youth Conference which gives eighty representatives of our secondary schools the chance to debate important issues. This year’s event takes place on October 22 during Local Democracy Week at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre where the young people themselves will be in charge of proceedings. Their chosen subject is the food we eat and the exercise we take. It should be very illuminating.
The mobile café launched by the Council and Youth Service last year with the object of providing a new and interesting meeting place has been received very positively, and it is marvellous to hear how successful the bi-monthly under 17 dance nights are proving in Horsham. With professional security plus Police and Youth Service support these are drug, alcohol and tobacco free events held in a great night club atmosphere and continue to attract up to 400 young people each time.
If you would like to find out more about HYPER visit the HYPER website.
For details of the many other youth projects and leisure opportunities for young people see the young people’s pages in Horsham District News magazine or contact Shelley Denman, Youth Issues Officer at Horsham District Council, on (01403) 215122, email: shelley.denman@horsham.gov.uk.
Further information is also available online.
Ends
Councillor Sheila Van Den Bergh, The Chairman, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RH.
E-mail: contactchairman@horsham.gov.uk
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403) 215549