A group of young people in Peasedown St John have formed their own Youth Community Council in a bid to make a difference their village. 

Last week, at Peasedown Youth Club, the group invited local Councillor Nathan Hartley along to share their ideas about various plans and projects they want to do in the area.

Nathan and the new Peasedown Youth Community Council

Thirteen year old Hazel Thompson, who is a pupil at Writhlington School, said:

“One of the reasons we have got this group together is because we want to improve things in Peasedown. We used to be known as the Youth Parish Council but we never did anything so we thought it was time for change. We plan to go on trips to neighbouring villages and towns, learn more about our own home-village and do fun activities that everyone can be involved with.” 

Some of the Youth Community Council’s plans over the next twelve months involve sponsored activities such as bike rides and car washes, organising environmental clean up days, tree planting, getting a BMX and skateboard track and even seeing local democracy in action with a visit to the Guildhall during full B&NES Council meetings. 

Helping the young people is local B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley who believes that giving young people a say in what happens in their community is a worthwhile investment: 

“Political power and local decision making should as much as possible be in the hands of local people. People of all ages should be given the opportunity to say what they think – when they think. This is really what the new Youth Community Council is all about! My involvement with the group is not to lead or to Chair but merely to assist.  This is about empowering young people and to make them realise this is their village and what they want and think matters just as much as anyone else.”  

The Youth Community Council will meet at least once a month in the Youth Club and will not be chaired or led by anyone – rather all decisions are made democratically by young people for the benefit of young people.