Tamworth District Youth Forum usually meet on a Monday between 5:30pm and 7:00pm on a fortnightly basis. This is a group of young people from Tamworth who have the chance to make important decisions about what happens in and around Tamworth for young people. Some of the Tamworth District Youth Forum are also on the Youth Action Council and they represent the young people of Tamworth and try to encourage change which will benefit all young people within the county. The youth forum regularly meet with with local councillors and their MP and a variety of bodies who chose to consult with them to gain an input which represents the views of young people locally.

We are always looking to recruit new members. If you are aged 13 to 19 and want a say about the youth matters in the Tamworth District then contact Julie Riley (Participation Worker) now or just come along to the next meeting.

Tamworth District Youth Forum hosted their "Meet the Press" event in 2007.
They arranged for young people from the Tamworth area to meet and establish those issues - both local & national which they felt were important. They were also aware of the frequent negative press regarding them & their peers. It is against this background that they offered a presentation to the editor of the local newspaper to address these issues and hopefully offer a positive image of young people within Tamworth. The preparation for this event was undertaken over a number of months and involved the Youth Forum in conducting interviews with young people in Ankerside Shopping Precinct. These allowed them to research the views of young people and also promote the event. In addition they invited young people back to Tamworth Youth Centre where volunteers were interviewed on video and a DVD produced which formed part of the presentation for "Meet the Press".

More recently in April of 2008 they hosted a young peoples PACT Meeting (Partners & Communities Together). Up to 20 young people were involved together with the local Police in discussing local issues of concern.

The three key issues established were:-
a) Bullying by older young people
b) Boy Racers
c) Litter around schools and the provision of litter bins
As a result the Police have visited schools and attempted to take steps to alleviate a number of problems raised. It is hoped that there will be future such events later in the year.

The Forum have recently attended the Building Schools for the Future Cnference which was held at Drayton Manor Park. They wereconsulted regarding the developing Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS).This consultation exercise took place on Tuesday 8th July 2008 during the morning. In the afternoon participants were rewarded with free entry and rides within the park.

NEXT MEETING - Monday 8th September 2008
Ordinary Meeting & "catch up" after summer holidays

Future Meeting Dates:-
Monday 22nd September 2008

We are pleased to announce that Natalie Gunn has been appointed
as the Participation Worker for the Tamworth District.
We hope that she will commence her duties early in September 2008



New members are always welcome