Agenda item

·       Local Youth Network update

·       Engagement with schools

·       Rural Youth Project

·       Wessex Circus update on activities

·       To consider the following Youth Grant applications:

o   Buzz Action Foundation CIO, £4,500 towards Amesbury Youth Café.

o   Durrington Town Council, £5,000 towards Durrington Youth Services.

o   1^st Shrewton St Marys Scout Group, £477.50 towards Scout pioneering equipment.

o   The Element Café, £3,000 towards The Element Café.

o   Youth Adventure Trust, £2,621.93 towards supporting disadvantaged young people in Amesbury Stonehenge.

For further details regarding the grant applications please see the attached grant report (pages 87 - 91).

Local Youth Network

Cllr Verbinnen gave an update, the last meeting of the LYN had been held virtually two weeks previously and unfortunately the turnout was low. The next meeting was being held in person on 18 May at 6pm and it was hoped that more people would attend. They would discuss important issues which had been raised. The next

Engagement with Schools

Cllr Verbinnen and the Chairman would be undertaking a tour of secondary schools and Cllr Verbinnen was joining the Governors of Stonehenge School and Avon Valley School. There were projects underway to get children looking at climate change and to develop a peace garden. There had been some really good discussions led by the young people. Cllr Verbninnen had also met with some of the primary school which went well.

Rural Youth Project

An informative and engaging meeting was held on the Rural Youth Project which was put together by Community First and looked at how they can work with young people and what their needs were to make them fell included. The report was included at page 45 of the agenda. Whilst the area had good youth sporting activities there was always a need for more. There was quite a lot of deprivation in Amesbury and the surrounding areas but there had been good engagement from some deprived areas. Transport and getting to and from clubs and activities was raised as an issue across the area. Shrewton had lost its youth club which was raised as an issue and they were looking for volunteers, in fact more volunteers were needed in most areas. The military ran a youth club in Bulford with a great scheme of activities. These were for all children not just military children and it was hoped that this could be promoted to get the word out. The report was not yet finished and some areas were still to be consulted. Members felt it was good that the transport issue had been identified and a possible solution could be pop up activities that went to local areas so people could attend.

Wessex Circus update on activities

The Buzz Action foundation which was partnered with Wessex Circus updated and explained that they ran the Elements Café which was a safe space for vulnerable young people with special needs. There was also the Youth Café which was open to all 13-19 year olds. The Board was thanked for pervious grants which had been given to these activities. The cafés were gateways to positive activities for young people such as day trips and cultural events. The youth café was based outdoors at the Bowman Centre and was partnered with the youth circus. Other activities which had taken place included a week on the Isle of Purbeck, big rig arial activities at Amesbury fete, a Chamber of commerce event and a disco.  Two young people who attended the activities stated that the activities were fun and they gave you something to do.

Youth grants

Cllr Verbinnen introduced the youth grant applications and representatives of the organisations applying for grants spoke in support of their applications. After consideration by the Board it was,

Resolved:

·       To grant Buzz Action Foundation CIO, £4,500 towards Amesbury Youth Café.?

·       To grant Durrington Town Council, £5,000 towards Durrington Youth Services.?

·       To grant 1st Shrewton St Marys Scout Group, £477.50 towards Scout pioneering equipment.

·       The Element Café, £3,000 towards The Element Café.

·       Youth Adventure Trust, £2,621.93 towards supporting disadvantaged young people in Amesbury Stonehenge.