Communities brought together to fund a new team of youth workers
A SHARED vision to “enable and empower” young people” has brought parishes together to fund new youth workers for the Horsham district.
Steyning, Ashurst, Bramber and Upper Beeding form one cluster, helping to fund the employment of full-time and substantial part-time community youth workers to support local young people.
The other four clusters in the district are the Storrington area, Billingshurst and Pulborough area, Horsham area and Broadbridge Heath, Slinfold and Warnham area.
Sue Rogers, a Horsham district and Steyning parish councillor, said: “It is important that we take a moment to look back and reflect on the journey that we have taken and the decisions that communities have made towards providing a sustainable service for their young people.
“During this time I have had the pleasure of meeting some dedicated and visionary people from our district.”
As Horsham’s cabinet member for a safer and healthier district, she has hosted three seminars for district, neighbourhood and parish councillors across the district.
The new youth workers, who will be employed by Horsham Matters, will be in post in early June.
The five clusters have a shared vision “to enable and empower local young people to make informed, positive lifestyle choices, which promote active, healthy, holistic, safe and social lives”.
The role of the new community youth workers, who will be supported by volunteers, will be to:
– Support and engage young people.
– Initiate new activities.
– Support existing provision.
– Demonstrate good practice and professionalism.
– Respond to the needs of young people and the community.
– Champion young people’s needs and wishes.
Over the last 14 months, Horsham District Council has been engaging with local communities, encouraging them to consider how they can support local young people through positive activities and opportunities.
A series of meetings have taken place, with more than 25 community meetings, 30 presentations to neighbourhood and parish councils and 20 meetings with other partners taking place.
More than 50 local stakeholders, representing a variety of organisations, such as local churches, housing associations, schools, community partnerships, local charities and Sussex Police, have been involved in the project.
The seminars gave the community groups an important platform to launch their aspirations and proposals for youth work.
Mrs Rogers said: “Over the next few months, we will be explaining more about what each of these clusters are doing to support local young people and introduce the new community youth workers.”
For more information, contact Clare Ebelewicz on 01403 215137.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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