New ‘open access’ sessions in parks and open spaces across the town, for young people over 11 years old, has been introduced by Frome Town Council.
The scheme is in response to the findings of last year’s Frome Youth Service Report.
Mendip YMCA and Somerset Rural Youth Project (SRYP) have been commissioned by the town council to run the programme, where qualified youth workers will be working alongside young people to devise and develop a series of activities and projects. These are aimed to meet the needs of local young people and will include sports, crafts and music.
The sessions will run in Welshmill Park on Tuesdays 4.00pm – 6.00pm and in Victoria Park on Fridays 4.00pm – 6.00pm through out August and September. And, if all goes to plan will continue through to April next year.
Cllr Peter Macfadyen, Frome’s Mayor said, “It’s great to see young people having fun and making brilliant use of our fabulous open spaces in Frome. Our research said this is what young people wanted so that’s what we’ve done. It demonstrates how responsive the town council is to the needs of local people.
“If it’s successful, we are looking forward to working closely with them, Mendip YMCA and SRY, to continue these types of mobile youth services in the future.”
The project has been developed and will be supported by a steering group, which includes the Town Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor, Cara and Alex. They will provide feedback on behalf of the Youth Council, which represents the views of young people across all areas of the council. The feedback will enable Frome Town Council to listen to the youth of Frome, to hear their opinions and thoughts of the provision of services for youth within the town.
Frome Town Council says it is hoped that this direct and open relationship will enable the council to not only listen, but also to act on ideas and advice from the young people of Frome about the services they would like to see, and would use in the town.
For more information about the project please contact info@frometown council.gov.uk