Middleton young people discuss local issues with Councillors

Middleton young people [Front – Emily Cordingley and Natasha Dalby. Back – Cllr Groves, Peter Patrick, Joshua  Patrica, Nadia Bowyer, Giselle Morgan, Sharon Kerr.]

Young people from Middleton on a volunteering scheme have been working with their Councillors to help improve their communities.  Councillor Kim Groves (Labour, Middleton Park) took part in a Q&A session with Middleton volunteers taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) project.

The young people were on a training session at Lineham Farm Centre to begin work on designing community projects. They were keen to meet with local Councillors to discuss their ideas about how they can help out in their local area.

Councillor Groves was asked many questions about how the volunteers can help to tackle issues such as vandalism and graffiti and also about improving facilities for young people in the area.

The Middleton Park Councillors have also donated £250 of MICE money to fund the NCS social action project, which will be based at Manor Field Hall Community Centre. Numerous events will be taking place which have been organised by the volunteers in partnership with the Friends of Middleton Park.  This includes the painting of Manor Field Hall.

The NCS in a national scheme which helps 16 and 17 year olds to volunteer in their communities in order to build up useful skills for the future and meet new friends.

Councillor Kim Groves said:

“It was great to meet the NCS volunteers and discuss their exciting ideas for helping improve their local neighbourhoods. The NCS scheme is brilliant as it gets young people involved in volunteering projects they have organised. They learn leadership and team building skills which will be very useful for them when they make the transition from school to work or further education. I look forward to working with the volunteers in the near future.”