Young people shaping their future in Westbury

Hundreds of young people from Westbury have been sharing their ideas on the type of activities they would like to have available in their area.

Westbury’s Local Youth Network, set up to help facilitate local youth activities, held a free taster event at Leigh Park Community Centre recently.

More than 60 young people tried out free taster sessions in cookery, art, music, ‘pole da cise’, rugby, sailing and archery at the event. The Guides were present, Selwood Housing provided frisbees and wristbands and library staff provided an information stand and suitable books for young people.

At the event young people were asked what they do in their spare time, what activities they would like to see, what Westbury needs to support young people and how to get young people involved.

Phoebe Brazier, who with her colleague Amy Schuring are the community youth officers for the area, said the event had been a success.

She said, “The purpose of the day was to raise awareness of the new community-led model for delivering positive activities for young people in Wiltshire as well as promoting the work of the Local Youth Network (LYN).

“Working alongside the local policing team, we conducted some consultation with the young people to find out what activities they would like to see happen in the Westbury area and find out what, if anything, they are currently doing.”

The event was the latest in a series of consultations with 13 to 19-year-olds. The LYN has been speaking to students at Matravers School and conducting face-to-face questionnaires during outreach work in Westbury.

The community youth officers are now completing a needs assessment for young people aged 13-19 in Westbury which will be completed by the end of this month based on the 600 responses they have received.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s service said, “Congratulations to the LYN for hosting a successful event and for gathering such a wide number of views. I wish them every success as they work with their communities to help determine activities for young people for the future.”

Anyone who would like to get involved can email Phoebe.brazier@wilt shire.gov.uk or call Phoebe on 07747 460372.