03/05/2013
Somerset UK Youth Parliament Update
Hi, I wanted to update you on my recent activity as the newly elected MYP for Sedgemoor.
I attended careers fair at the end of March and met some interesting people and got some contacts from the businesses so that I can develop skills workshops/presentations for young people in the future.
This month I met up with MP Tessa Munt to discuss ways of organising mini workshops to develop employability skills (yay!). I also met with Tessa to make sure that she supports the Curriculum For Life campaign! A Curriculum For Life supports the fact that we need more LIFE SKILLS (such as better finance, cultural awareness, sustainable living etc. education) on the curriculum and it’s the UK Youth Parliament's National Campaign for 2013.
It is vital that we lobby Michael Gove on this INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT issue. The only way to do this, is to sign the Curriculum For Life petition to show YOUR support.
Thrinayani.r
26/04/2013
Developing the Website
The Somerset Youth & Community Service has gone through some significant changes recently . As the focus of our work is now quite different, we've been working on developing this website to ensure it meets the current needs of the service and other users.
- We've added lots of information to the Running your own club section. We will continue to add more information and resources this this section so keep visiting to see what's new. If you have any ideas for items you think should be added to this section please let us know.
- There is now a Volunteering section which has information about volunteering with Somerset County Council and also a section where clubs and organisations can list volunteering opportunities they have available. Anyone who is thinking about volunteering but wants to know more about what is involved, or would like help in finding a suitable placement is welcome to contact the Senior Youth & Community Worker for their area:
- South Somerset & Mendip - Zara Scott-Davies (zscottdavies@somerset.gov.uk or tel: 01823 349854)
- Taunton Deane, West Somerset & Sedgemoor - Gail McCarthy (mccarthy@somerset.gov.uk or tel: 07767 004404)
- A number of youth clubs have now registered with us and have been set up with their own set of club pages in the Clubs and projects section of the site. If you are involved with a youth club and would like to find out more about getting pages on the website please contact Angela Derry (Project Support Officer) at aderry@somerset.gov.uk or tel: 01823 349852.
- Clubs often ask us about about finding companies who can be commissioned to provide professional youth work. We will soon be adding a brand new section to the website with information about Youth Work Providers. If you are a provider and would like to have your details added to this section then please contact us and request a Provider Checklist form which you will need to complete and return.
Your feedback about this website and how we can improved it is always very much appreciated, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
21/06/2012
Youth and Community Group Grants...one year on.
Well, it’s been almost a year since the first Somerset Youth & Community Group Grants were awarded. Time really has flown!
We’ve been busy preparing the end of year report forms to send to each of the 16 clubs who were successful in applying for a grant. The forms will be in the post tomorrow so look out for yours if you received a grant in Round One. Hopefully the responses will show that this funding has been of real benefit to young people and communities in Somerset.
The next funding round will be taking place soon. If you’d like to apply, the deadline for applications to reach the Youth and Community Service here at the Holway Centre, is 15th July 2012. For more information or to download an application form visit the ‘Youth Funding’ pages. If you’d like to have a chat about the funding, call Kirstie Brown (Senior Youth & Community Worker) on 01823 349853.
03/05/2012
NEW youth grant application forms
New revised and updated versions of both the Somerset Youth Bank and Somerset Children’s Bank application forms have been released. If you wish to apply for either of these grants, please ensure you use the new forms and delete or dispose of any old versions you have.
To download a copy of the new forms, click on the links below:
Children’s Bank Application Form
To find our more about the funding, visit the Youth Funding pages of this website or contact the Youth & Community Service Central Team at youthservice@somerset.gov.uk or tel: 01823 349852.
09/01/2012
UK Youth Parliament Meet With Deputy Council Leader
On the 21st of December, Members of UK Youth Parliament met with John Osman the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People. They discussed a wide range of issues including youth crime and poverty. They also put forward questions on the proposed County Council youth service cuts.
Media Representative for Somerset Jaysen Sharpe said “I believe it is imperative that we make the best out of a bad situation and that we feedback to the council to make sure that the most venerable young people are supported”
He also said “That it is important that the County Council continue to consult and work closely with UK Youth Parliament to insure that the councils youth policies are in the best interest of young people”
The young people said that they believed that the remaining youth services should be targeted at areas with high levels of deprivation, crime and youth employment.
To find out more about the UK Youth Parliament in Somerset:
or contact Kate Darlington, Youth & Community Worker
Email: kdarlington@somerset.gov.uk
Phone: 01823 410136
09/01/2012
UKYP Award for Taunton Student
Jaysen Sharpe, Deputy Member of UK Youth Parliament, was presented with an award last month for his role in organising Somerset's involvement in the elections for the House of Commons debate. Jaysen ran politics workshops in schools to link in with this vote and managed to get 3,000 young people from across Somerset to take part in the vote.
Jaysen said: “The amount of young people voting in Somerset shows that young people are interested in politics” and added that he was “very pleased” to have be recognised for his role in this.
Over 65,000 votes were cast nationally with the South West polling over 10,000; the biggest regional contribution
To find out more about the UK Youth Parliament in Somerset:
or contact Kate Darlington, Youth & Community Worker
Email: kdarlington@somerset.gov.uk
Phone: 01823 410136
12/12/2011
New Youth Equipment Store Catalogues!
The office is a flurry of activity! We've taken delivery of the new Youth Equipment Store catalogues so it's all hands on deck to get them sent out as soon as possible...we don't want anyone missing out!
The YES has always had a wide range of equipment for young people (and those who work with them) to hire at very reasonable rates. This includes tents, walking boots, rucksacks, sleeping bags, climbing equipment and stage lighting etc. The availability of this kit has made it possible for lots of young people to get involved in activities and opportunities (such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award) which they wouldn't have had access to if they'd had to buy equipment for themselves.
The YES, in partnership with the Aiming High Programme, has recently obtained a fantastic range of equipment for children and young people with additional needs. This includes:
◦lots of sensory toys
◦mobility equipment such as all-terrain buggies and portable wheelchair ramps etc
◦safety equipment including inflatable 'safe sides' for beds and 'sleeping safe space'
To find out more about the store or download copies of the new catalogues click to visit the
Youth Equipment Store Webpages
You can contact the YES direct by email at YES@somerset.gov.uk or by phone on 01823 410131
03/11/2011
Training, training, training!!!
It's been a good week here and I've been out and about delivering training. Firstly, I spent Monday evening at Monks Yard delivering some training to some of their youth work volunteers - a really positive group of people happy to give up their free time to provide a popular youth club to young people in and around Ilminster. There were biscuits! I'm off there again on Saturday to do some more (I've been promised lunch you know).
I then went to the Youth Offending Team / Targeted Youth Support Team in Bridgwater on Tuesday and did some work with them on their excellent Participation Improvement Plan. They are a great team. They were celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Day and gave me a pin badge so I didn't feel left out - thanks! It's good to know that Somerset's young people have access to such good quality support.
I can provide lots of training, particularly around participation and youth work (and usually free of charge, although a biscuit is always welcome) - so if you know of any groups who might like some training, ask them to contact me (Kirstie Brown) on 01823 410135 or at kbrown@somerset.gov.uk
