Hebden Royd Working Party: young people give their ideas

Town Council brings people together to review and develop youth provision

The Young People’s Working Party of Hebden Royd Town Council filled the Town Hall committee room to overflowing at their recent meeting to discuss youth provision in the Hebden Royd area.

A dozen young people, together with Town Councillors, Calderdale Youth Workers, and representatives from local organisations Lifeline Calderdale, Step 2, Project X and Outta Place, met under the auspices of the Hebden Royd Young People’s Working Party, chaired by Cllr. Lesley Jones of Hebden Royd Town Council. In a lively but productive meeting the current state of youth provision in Hebden Royd was reviewed, and ideas put forward to develop future plans.

The young people present gave some ideas of improvements they’d like to see, such as music gigs accessible to under 18s, more sports activities, urban arts and somewhere to chill when it’s raining. There was a discussion of past and present youth club provision, and how to provide places where young people can meet and hang out.

All present were keen to pursue the idea of running a youth day on Calder Holmes Park later in the year. This is to be organised by a steering committee led by young people with coordination from Lorraine Daber of Calderdale’s Young People’s Service. Groups of all sorts will be invited to set up hubs for youngsters to find about what they do. The idea is to focus on youth for one day, targeting particularly those aged 11-20. It will be a great way to promote the positive things available for young people to do in the Hebden Royd area.

In the meantime, the working party will continue to meet to discuss ways of moving forward youth provision in the area. For more information contact Lesley Jones, lesley.jones@virgin.net.