The Foyle Youth Council, set up to give young people greater opportunities to have a say on how Derry is run, has been launched by the city’s Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly.
Mayor Martin Reilly with members of the Foyle Youth Council in the Guildhall. Included, on left, are Helen Harley, Derry City Council, Yvonne McKeever, WELB Youth Service, and, on right, Una McCartney, WELB Youth Service, and Stephen Quigley, WELB Youth Service. (Photo – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
The launch, a youth-led event held in the city’s Guildhall, was attended by young people from across the Derry City Council area and relevant organisations and schools that work with young people.
The event, comprised various fun and informative activities, including interactive workshops and a showcase of young local musical talent and performers.
A joint initiative between Derry City Council and Western Education and Library Board’s Youth Services, the Foyle Youth Council aims to give young people greater opportunities to have a say in the city in which they live and will also provide a voice and advocate for the rights and opinions of young people, with an ultimate aim of influencing positive change that will benefit all young people within the city.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor Reilly welcomed the initiative saying it was a very positive step for Council, aimed at seeking and listening to the views and opinions of young people.
He added: ‘This is a fantastic partnership event between Council and WELB Youth Services to actively engage with young people across the city, to seek their views and opinions and provide them with a forum to have an input and be part of the decision making process.”
Members of the Foyle Youth Council will be selected based on the principles of Section 75 legislation, which will see two representatives from each of the four neighbourhood renewal areas, two representatives from rural areas and 10 members from across the Derry City Council area forming the Youth Council. The target age group is 13-18 (aged 21 if disabled or being looked after).
For more information and an application form go to: www.derrycity.gov.uk/youthcouncil and the deadline for applications is Friday 18 October at 4pm.
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