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Home What is Walsall's New Deal? Themes Area Map Newsletter Project Updates Staff Events New Deal Documentation Links Job Vacancies Contact Site Map |
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On 15th October, Communities Minister Baroness Andrews announced the expansion of a scheme to give young people a platform to influence the way their communities are run. Baroness Andrews awarded funding today to expand the Young Advisor scheme in sixteen New Deal for Communities (NDC) areas, one of which is Walsall's New Deal. The funding of over £150,000 is being pledged to train almost a hundred Young Advisors to work in NDC areas, giving young people a voice to directly effect local and national policies. These new schemes build on the success of twenty projects established since January 2006. The funding will be used to replicate the groundbreaking work of young advisors in areas such as East Manchester, where young people commissioned school holiday activity clubs, ran a young people’s counselling surgery and conducted research for the National Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. Baroness Andrews said: "I have seen for myself how the funding we've put into the Young Advisors scheme so far really has given a strong voice for young people in the community and an influence on national policy, for example their recent input into the forthcoming Councillor Commission report. That is why I am so pleased to announce this further funding today, giving more young people empowerment to influence the way their communities are run". A Neighbourhood Renewal advisor commented at the launch: "Young People see three times more crime than anyone else. They have a key role to play in improving the community and they need to be included". Jayne Read, Senior Young Liaison Worker said: "Our Young Advisors team has achieved more than we could ever have imagined; a new youth facility, improved services for young people, and better relationships between young people and adults. They have promoted such a positive profile of young people across our New Deal area". Recruitment and training for the sixteen new Young Advisor schemes starts in November. Ends..... Editors notes: Case Study: Walsall's New Deal Youth Council members have worked with officers on the development and implementation of the new Young Persons information Centre, 212 Ingram Road, Walsall, that is officially being opened on 24th October by Hollyoaks stars Chris Fountain and Emma Rigby. New Deal's Youth Council is currently working with New Deal officers to implement an action plan that has been devised in consultation with young people and New Deal to ensure that the involvement of young people is core to new developments or activities. Young people have recently taken up 2 vacant positions as young person's representatives on the New Deal: New Horizons Board. Schemes that have received funding today are: Birmingham (Aston) - West Midlands Brent (South Kilburn) - London Coventry (Wood End Green) - West Midlands Hammersmith and Fulham (North Fulham) - London Haringey (Seven Sisters) - London Islington (Finsbury) - London Lewisham (New Cross Gate) - London Luton (Marsh Farm) - East Newcastle (West Gate) - North East Plymouth (Devonport) - South West Rochdale (Heywood) - North West Sandwell (Greets Green) - West Midlands Sheffield (Burngreave) - Yorkshire and Humber Southampton (Thornhill) - South East Southwark (Aylesbury) - London Walsall's New Deal : New Horizons - West Midlands Young Advisors are young people aged between 15 and 21, who show community leaders and decision makers how to engage young people in community life, regeneration and renewal. Young Advisors are trained and employed consultants, who guide local authorities, housing associations and other local partners about what it is like for a young person to live, work, learn and play in their neighbourhood.
For more information about the Community Empowerment Team please contact Michelle Parry on 01922 711228. Walsall's New Deal for Communities is a regeneration initiative working in the areas of Blakenall, Bloxwich and Leamore. The initiative received a £52 million Government grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) to be spent on sustainable regeneration spread over a ten year period that commenced 2001. |
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