New Youth-Led Initiative Launches in Bolsover District
New Youth-Led Initiative Launches in Bolsover District – Young People Invited to Shape Their Future
A major new youth-led initiative has launched in Bolsover District, offering young people aged 12–25 the chance to have their voices heard, learn valuable skills and help shape the future of opportunities in their community.
Youth Action, a new programme from Bolsover Partnership and Bolsover District Council, is being coordinated by Direct Education Business Partnership and forms part of a long-term vision to improve the lives of children and young people across the district over the next decade.
The initiative is now calling on local young people to find out more and sign up for a range of exciting free opportunities starting this summer.
Delivered in partnership with Junction Arts, Platform Thirty1, Bolsover Community and Voluntary Service and Active Compass, the programme is already working with schools and community groups across Bolsover. Early sessions have gathered young people’s views on what they want to see in their towns and introduced them to ways they can get involved and make a difference.
Young people who join Youth Action can choose from a range of hands-on roles, including:
- Peer Researchers – receiving training and support to gather opinions and ideas from other young people
- Youth Forum Members – representing youth voice, working alongside decision-makers and helping shape a Youth Action Plan
- Media Collective Members – developing skills in filmmaking, design and content creation to tell the story of the project
All training and opportunities are provided free of charge to young people and their families. To further remove barriers to participation, additional expenses, such as travel, will also be covered wherever possible.
There is also the opportunity for all participants to attend Bolsover’s first-ever Youth Summit later this year, where they will meet other young people, share ideas and directly influence future plans for youth services in the district.
Workshops and training sessions will begin in August, and places are now open. Young people interested in taking part are encouraged to register their interest via: Youth Action Bolsover – Fill out form
Councillor Donna Hales, from Bolsover District Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to put young people at the heart of shaping the district’s future. Through extensive engagement with young people, communities and partner organisations, we will develop a youth strategy that reflects their ambitions and creates new opportunities for skills, training, employment and personal development.”
Parents and carers are also encouraged to support young people to get involved, helping them take advantage of this free programme designed to build confidence, skills and connections. There are two engagement events taking place next month, to encourage young people to sign up to the Youth Action leadership opportunities and provide parents/carers with the information and confidence needed to support participation.
The drop-in events are taking place between 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Bolsover Methodist Church on 4th August and Pinxton Village Hall on 11th August.
Funding for the 18-month programme has been secured through investment from Bolsover District Council, the Lloyds Bank Foundation, and a range of supporting funding partners, enabling the delivery of a comprehensive programme of opportunities and support for young people across the district.