OUR VISION

Newcastle Youth Council was elected in June 2010 to be a voice for 11-18 year olds living, studying or working in the city and to make it a more friendly place for young people. It is funded by Newcastle City Council until March 2012 and is managed by the regional children’s charity, Children North East.

It seeks to:

• represent the views of young people, aged 11-18, in Newcastle Upon Tyne,but also seek to improve quality of life for those who are younger.
•  raise awareness of youth.
• improve the image of young people.
• promote young people’s issues to adults and local governance.
• operate as an independent council.
• work with the local council and local organisations to improve opportunities for young people.
• create an active interest in local affairs.

Its work priorities until October 2012 are to:

Improve Transport:

• Bring down cost of travel for young people outside of school hours
• More cycle lanes for safer and healthier young people
• Improve cleanliness on public transport

Tackle inconsistent and stereotyped perceptions of young people (age discrimination):

• Through advertising the positive contributions young people in Newcastle make
• By allowing young people to participate more in “adult” life
• Through creation of Youth Council website
• Production of regular newsletter
• Holding Youth Council “surgeries” in each district

Improve activities and expand young people’s access to them:

• Through affordable (or free) music and youth events
• Through more activities
• Through more advertising of what’s on
• By less vandalism of play areas