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Access Displays Summer Work Experience - Wiltshire Young People Are you interested in an exciting project making and editing videos to be published on YouTube and other video sharing websites?

Access Displays have an opportunity for two bright and confident school pupils to record videos of our products being assembled and used.

This will take place sometime in July. More information about this project can be found at www.accessdisplays.co.uk/work-experience.htm.

If you are interested in this exciting project, please send an email to peter.bowen@accessdisplays.co.uk with your contact details and a brief introduction about yourself.

A Young Peer has her say - Rebecca Bostock from UKYP

Rebecca Bostock spoke up for her peers as the UK Youth Parliament took over the House of Lords last week (May 2).

As a member of the UK Youth Parliment (UKYP) for Salisbury and Kennet Rebecca described how young people were becoming disillusioned with the national press due to its inaccurate and negative coverage of young people.

She explained the term "youth" is gradually becoming more associated with crime and, in some cases, the terms "yob" and "youth" are becoming interchangeable. She also stated the media needs to be fairer and less discriminating against young people as a whole.

Her speech on "A fair and accurate representation of young people in the media" was part of a UKYP initiative. After the debate Rebecca said: "The debate was a fantastic experience and something I would never have dreamt of doing before I became a member of the Youth Parliament."

Spark Voices -

Your views on......

Homelessness

This video was made by a group of young people in Wiltshire all of whom had had experience of homelessness. Hear their stories and the suggestions they made to the policy makers.

Animal Cruelty

This week I would like to discuss an issue very close to my heart. Animal cruelty.

Recently, we have been deliberating into whether we were going to get a new rabbit to go with our current one. Immediately we looked to an animal sanctuary to try and re-home a old, lonely, previously mistreated rabbit and give it a good life. Once we got there, we looked around at compatible rabbits that would suit our rabbits needs.

Down to the point, the rabbit we were given had been rescued from a house in which there were five rabbits living there, and this is the shocker, all were being bred for meat. More.....

Let us know your views by emailing Sparksite.

Bus Prices - a real experience by Chris King

Bus - Wiltshire's Young People

It was 7 o’clock. I wanted to get home. It was cold and dark. ‘Should I get the bus?’ I asked myself. ‘Sure, why not?’

I walked towards the bus station. I sat in the freezing cold for about an hour. The two busses that were supposed to come, didn’t, until eventually, a replacement got put on. I walked towards the bus, but the driver got out, closed the door, and walked towards the chip shop. Another 20 minutes waiting.

I got on the bus, and said “Child single to Pewsham please.” “One eighty, please my friend” I was fuming. I was fumbling through my wallet looking for pennies, and I looked at his screen. It said “Adult SL Pwsh - £1.80” I told him I wanted a child single, he said you are not a child. I said I am, I’m only 13. Eventually, after lots of arguing, and other passengers coming to shout at the driver, he charged me a child fare. More .....

by Chris King, Wiltshire Assembly of Youth, North and West Wiltshire (Chippenham)

Email Sparksite with Your View?

Don't Waste It - By Amy Dyer, 16

Packaging – it's everywhere, on almost anything you buy. In fact, it's so common, you probably don't even give it much thought, although it is ultimately threatening our environment.

Did you know that the UK produces 434 million tonnes of rubbish every year, and that at this rate, the Albert Hall could be filled with waste in just two hours (say Waste Online)? There is something seriously wrong if we are producing rubbish at this rate, and there are many serious repercussions. Wiltshire's two remaining rubbish tips will be full in about ten to twelve years, so what are we going to do then? Obviously cutting out packaging altogether is totally impractical in our society, but we do need to reduce it, or at least know how to get rid of it in an environmentally friendly way. More .....

Locally Grown - by Michael J A King

No longer are you a “REAL” green shopper unless you have a box of organic vegetables delivered to your door each week from one of the many companies delivering high quality fruit and veg around the country. Even the supermarkets are jumping onto the green bandwagon. The big 3 Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer all now offer “organic” vegetable boxes because they too want a piece this growing sector. The organic market has soared by 30% in the last 12 months to well over a billion, it’s predicted that the market will be worth over £2 billion by 2010. More.....

By Michael J A King - 19, Chippenham.

So Gay - by Katie Byard

In some parts of the world you’ll be called a nasty name. In other parts of the world you’ll be executed. One thing’s for sure, gay people are victimised wherever they are.

“That’s so gay!” It’s a common insult. A lot of people use phrases with the same prejudiced theme to describe something they do not like. The word ‘gay’ was originally used in the 1950’s – back then it meant ‘happy’ or ‘full of life’. In the early 1970’s ‘gay’ was used as shorthand for homosexual and within a generation a word that once meant something joyful had turned into something dark and sinister. It is now more commonly used as an insult than any other meaning. Why? More......

Katie Byard, aged 13 from West Lavington

What do you think? Email Sparksite and let us know.

The 2012 Olympics, a chance for the UK to shine, get fit and prosper. Yeah right!

London 2012 logo - Wiltshire's Young People

It’s been on the news so often that anyone who doesn’t know that the government have overspent on their original budget must have been doing exams and not reading the papers.

What’s not so widely known is the general destruction that comes with that glory. People who have tended their allotments all their lives are being told they will need to be demolished to build car parks (!!) to be used for those two very important weeks. And the designers’ contribution to the environment? A wind turbine. Fantastic, I’m sure that will make all the difference! More.....

Becky Holloway, aged 18 from Calne

Slum Survivor - People live like this.........

Slum Survivor - Wiltshire's Young People Paige - Slum Survivor - Wiltshire's Young People

Just thought I'd send out some pictures of how it went...

Some of you kindly sponsored me and I only thought it fair to show you what I did! Some of you just wanted a giggle at me living in a box in the coldest part of the year too! So I hope, for both, it satisfies!

In all honesty,it was one of the most frustrating weekends of my life!
We were made to do difficult and irritating tasks in nasty weather (yes, it rained!)

Slum Survivor - Wiltshire's Young People

The worst of which I think was being told we had 60 seconds to evacuate the slum as it was going to be knocked down because it was illegal. This was at half past 10 at night when it was freezing cold, raining and dark.
I wasn't happy!

It was, also the worst nights sleep I've ever had! We had to work in mock sweat shops, being forced to make 200 cakes in half an hour with no reward.

Slum Survivor - Wiltshire's Young People

I'm totally thankful I only had to do that for a weekend, and I'm then reminded of the cause. People live like this.

Thanks for all your support, Paige :)

Spark Music

Music by CM Youtz - 'We are the Future'

CM Youtz 'We are the Future'

On the 3rd of February 2007 we went along to an event the first of its kind with our parents my Mum, some friends and their Parents to look at black culture and issues in and around other ethnic minority groups this event was put on by “vibes” and was supported by the youth service, they used music to education us because they felt it was the way to show young people where the heritage of some music came from and help them understand their roots.

At the music day me and some of my friends were approached by Sandra Roberts and asked if we would like to make a CD about life as a teenager in today’s society. We thought about it for the rest of the day and we talked to our parents after that we chatted with Sandra again and we agreed to have a go.

When the project started it was amazing we made up our lyrics from just chatting as a group about the issues effecting today’s youth and what school was like if you were of a different race and culture. We learned from everyone we worked with, the project lasted 8 – 12 weeks and as one of the group and a mixed race young woman from mix heritage of Black Jamaican and White Welsh decent I do have friends from different cultures but still learned lots from people who were from African, Moroccan and Caribbean backgrounds, this experience has given us all a lot more confidence and helped us all with expressing ourselves in an artistic and positive way we would gladly do it again.

Thanks C.M. Youtz.

Spark Movies

Music XPress - Check out some performances

Music Xpress Logo - Wiltshire's Young People Have a look at the latest performances on

YouTube & read the latest reviews.

Link the link - Music Xpress You Tube

CASE - Corsham Alternative Sports Event

Climbing Wall - Wiltshire's Young People

The CASE event was held back in September and was a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in loads of alternative sports events from BMX, Skateboarding, Parkour, Power Kiting, Wall Climbing and loads more.

Young people from all over the county got involved and had a go. Finally the DVD is now ready - take a look ......

Corsham Alternative Sports Event - THE Movie .

Your World - find out just about everything you need to know about anything

The new World of Alternative Sports in Wiltshire - find out about:-

Alternative Sports - Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking - Downhill - Downhill is the ultimate test of nerve and machine control. Riders race individually against the clock pitting themselves against a challenging succession of jumps, bumps, berms (cambered corners) and drop-offs on a course which is predominantly downhill – often dropping between 300 and 600 metres in perhaps 2.5 km of racing! Races usually last between 2 and 5 minutes.

Four Cross (4X) - 4-Cross pits 4 riders at a time against each other over a short, mainly downhill course: usually a mixture of natural and man made obstacles including stutter bumps, double jumps, table tops, step ups, drop offs, moguls, bermed or off camber corners and gap jumps.

Cross-Country & Marathon - Endurance, fitness and machine control all combine to make a top Cross-Country rider.

Riders start together (massed start) and compete on a marked lap (typically three to six kilometres) with climbing, descending, single-track and technical sections (tight turns, narrow tracks, rocks, mud or other difficult terrain). Less experienced riders tackle fewer laps – Marathons can be 50km, 100km or even 150km in length.

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Check out www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/mtb_latest_news.asp

Alternative Sports - BMX – Track Racing

BMX racing is an extremely exciting sport open to riders of all ages, making it great fun for all the family. Up to eight riders race, Moto-Cross-style, around a 300-400m track, with jumps, bump and berms (banked corners). The excitement and popularity of BMX racing have caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee and BMX is now an Olympic sport.

What's needed to get started in this fantastic sport.

Got a bike?

There are two different types of BMX race bike: the 20 inch (your everyday BMX bike with 20 inch wheels) and the 24 inch cruiser (a slightly bigger bike with 24 inch wheels). You don't need a top of the line race machine to start with, you just need one that can get you around the track and meet the basic requirements (more of which later).

Get some safety gear!

All you need for racing is a helmet (sorry - not one designed for road use or Dirt Jumping!), a long sleeved shirt, long trousers or jeans and gloves. Rubber soled skateboard or tennis style shoes are recommended and although elbow pads, knee pads and shoulder pads are not essential, they are always a good idea! If you have an open face style helmet, a mouth guard is recommended. Most clubs have helmets that you can borrow when you first start riding.

Check out

www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bmx/bmx_latest_news.asp

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternative Sports - Parkour

Parkour - Wiltshire Young People

Basically, Parkour is a natural method to train the human body to be able to move forward quickly, making use of the environment that's around us at any given time.

It's an athletic discipline accessible to all, because it combines all the natural skills of the human body: running, jumping, climbing...

Running on foot, crawling, jumps, rolling and other methods of catching yourself, grabbing hold of things, hanging from things and balancing are the essence of what fuels this sport. All this towards a single goal: never to be stopped by any obstacle (whether it be wall, grille, hedge, railings, trees, other foliage, bushes, rocks, vehicles, gaps... etc), but to continually adapt.

Check out www.urbanfreeflow.com

Check out Calne Parkour on You Tube

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternative Sports - Orienteering

Orienteering means maps, varied terrain and adventure. Orienteering is a sport where competitors navigate their way between control points marked on a specially drawn map. There are various orienteering disciplines, foot orienteering is the most common.

Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school playgrounds. The most challenging orienteering takes place in remote areas which have demanding terrain and fewer paths.

Check out www.britishorienteering.org.uk

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternative Sports - Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee - Wiltshire Young People

Ultimate is an exciting, non-contact team sport, played by thousands the world over. It mixes the best features of sports such as Soccer, Basketball, American Football and Netball into an elegantly simple yet fascinating and demanding game.

To compete at the top level, Ultimate players require an unmatched degree of speed, stamina and agility.

Yet the simplicity of the rules means it's easy and fun for newcomers to pick up.

Ultimate is played between two teams of seven players on a large rectangular pitch. A line drawn across the pitch at either end creates two "endzones" (like in American Football). These are the goal-scoring areas. A goal is scored when a team completes a pass to a player standing (or more likely running) in the endzone they are attacking.

Check out www.ukultimate.com

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternative Sports - Climbing

If you would like to start climbing, please note: - Don't climb unless you are under the supervision of a qualified climber. Remember you climb at your own risk.

To begin with there are two broad categories of climbing:

a) Free climbing and b) Aid climbing.

Free Climbing: There is a pureness about free climbing as the climber relies solely on the use of his or her own skills to ascend a rock face. Equipment can be used, it's done so strictly for safety reasons (i.e. to offer protection during a fall).

Aid climbing: this involves the use of equipment to ascend a rock face, which under normal circumstances wouldn't be possible to free climb. From an ethical perspective it is worth pointing out that you should always leave the rock face in the same condition as you found it.

Climbing has continued to evolve and now we have categories such as:

Bouldering (technical, fun, good way to get started)
Traditional climbing (Trad climbing, challenging, scary, knackering, but great fun)

Indoor climbing: indoor wall (safe, great for practice or introduction to climbing)
Sport climbing (uses existing fixed gear which speeds climbing pace, not as risky as some other types as climbing)

Check out www.doctordanger.com/climb1/climb.html

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternative Sports - Mountain Boarding

All-Terrain Boarding also known as Mountain boarding or Off Road Boarding is one of the fastest growing actions sports worldwide. Often described as a combination of snowboarding, skateboarding and mountain biking, the sport is widely participated in, visually stunning and definitely extreme.

The top ATB riders are pushing the limits of the sport further and further each year with aerial maneuvers and multiple spinning freestyle tricks, all while riding over dirt, grass and other surfaces.

Most boards sold use four wheels; however there are designs that use two to eight wheels.

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Alternatve Sports - Power Kiting

A power kite is any kite that is can supply enough power to allow you to be moved either along the ground, water or air.

A single kite is normally used for propulsion however some kites can be 'stacked' (placed one behind the other) to give added power. Kites come in a huge range of sizes which relate to the wind strength or the activity that you wish to do. There are loads of kite manufacturers and a quick search on the internet will allow you to find them easily.

Check out www.bpka.co.uk/powerkite.php and www.atbsports.co.uk

To find out when & where this is in Wiltshire contact Nick Thrower, email nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Arts Awards - Young Arts Leaders Group

Young Arts Leaders Group

What? - An exciting new young arts leader’s project where

YOU get to have YOUR say.

Including:

Arts leadership training in event planning, fundraising and arts assessing
The opportunity to gain an Arts Award
Organising and planning a whole Arts Activity Day from start to finish for other young people at The Arc Theatre in Trowbridge
Visiting and reviewing arts events in Wiltshire

Who? We are looking for young people aged 15 – 21 who already have experience of the arts, whether it’s being in the school play or being in a band.

Why? This project is an opportunity for you to say what you think about the arts in Wiltshire and learn the skills to organise and run an event. This event will give other young people a chance to get involved in the arts and have their say too.

Where / When?

Sessions will be approx every other Thursday from 7 – 9.30pm in The Art Room at Bradford-on-Avon Youth Development Centre.

The project runs from Feb – Sept. Sessions are free to attend.

The project is being run by Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership with help from The Voice and Influence team. The group will be supported by me, Bec Gee! (WYAP project coordinator and artist).

Contact:

If you want to know more about the project or to book your place you can call on 07791546678 or e-mail me on: bec.wyap@yahoo.co.uk

BBC Blast! - Get Creative!

Find out about Blast!

Blast inspires and supports 13 to 19 year olds to get creative. It helps develop skills so you can turn your ideas for art, dance, film, music, writing and games into a reality.

Check out this site for free advice and useful contacts, free game downloads, links to other useful sites and chat to other young people involved! BBC Blast.....

BBC Onelife

This site offers you loads of information about staying alive in todays modern world:-

The list is endless but here is just some of the headings:-

Schools & Education - blitzing exams, is uni for you?

Sex & Relationships - from chatting up skills to contraception!

Bodies & Minds - The A - Z on you, A is for Acne.... F is for freckles ....

Drink & Drugs - the list is endless, find out about every drug !

Take a look, it is tells you just about anything which you need to know - BBC OneLife

BBC Slink - Girls this is for you.....

This is a girls must .... find out stuff about you :-

Fashion & Beauty - Hair & Beauty Bible, check out the tip of the day!

Sex, Love & Life - Why do boys lie? Real Life Stories, Am I a Freak?

Daily Horiscopes - check out yours every day.

"It's real, it's daily, it's yours" - take a look - BBC Slink

Bass Connection - Bands, Gigs, Recording Studios & loads more

Bass Connections - Wiltshire's Young People

Bass Connection is a Wiltshire County Council Youth Development Services youth arts project located in Chuchfields Road, Salisbury.

The curriculum of personal, social and skills development is delivered to 13 -19 year olds offering numerous opportunities for artistic interest and talents to be pursued and fulfilled, together with the acquisition of many practical and technical skills. Peer education and a co-operative approach is fundamental to the success of the project.

The project currently offers six fully equipped rehearsal rooms (drum kits, PA systems), DJ equipment, recording studio, graphic/media department, publicity and promotion department and a up to date resource centre for the music industry.

Find out loads more by going to Bass Connections.....

Chew TV - ...Do it ... View It ... Chew it ....

Chew TV Logo

Chew TV is a unique broadband TV channel created and run by young people for young people.

Check out the lastest films, read blogs. Keep up to date with whats going on ........

Chew TV is a place for you to share your films, animations, music, documentaries and ideas.

To find out more contact Chew TV click here

Climbing Wall for Hire From Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre

Climbing Wall - Wiltshire's Young People 24ft High Climbing Wall For Hire

From Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre.

The wall can take 4 people at one time and has different levels of ability.

To use the wall you will need to arrange for our team of fully trained climbing wall supervisors to come along or it you have your own staff who are trained sufficiently then they will be able to manage this for you.

Climbing Wall - Wiltshire's Young People

Delivery of the wall can be either arranged through Oxenwood or you can collect. Bear in mind it is very large and heavy so an appropriate vechicle will be needed.

Full insurance must be obtained prior to using the climbing wall.

To find out more about hire charges and available dates contact Steve Chandler on 01264 731274 or email stephenchandler@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Climbing Wall - Wiltshires Young People Climbing Wall - Wiltshire's Young People

Club Flix - Watching films, talking films, making films, writing films....

Club Flix is a film club run by young people for young people.

If you are 13-21 years old Club Flix is for YOU!

Are you a young writer or director? Do you want to work behind the camera or get in front of it? Club Flix is somewhere that you can connect with other young people and get your own short films started!

Check out our website for a Forum where you can post your ideas; a short film showcase where you can see what young people out there are making; filmmaking hints and tips; film related news and opportunities; and useful links.

If you would like to get involved, email info@clubflix.co.uk or call 07875 207897 to find out more.

Highropes Course @ Braeside, Devizes available for you to use and its FREE !!

High Rope Course

@ Braeside Outdoor Education and Conference Centre

The course is FREE during your leisure time,

so out of schools hours, during the holidays, evening and weekends.

And its FREE.

This high ropes course was funded through WYPOF. The application for the funding was completed by young people in the Young People's Support Services on behalf of young people in Wiltshire.

db8 Magazine - a magazine written by young people in Wiltshire

DB8 Magazine Logo - Wiltshires Young People

db8 Edition 14 is out now ....

Features include:

How often do you break these laws? - Think you're goody too shoes?
One Council for Wiltshire - What's it all about?
Cyber Bullying?
Eat more brains - Wiltshire bred actor Jonnie Hurn talks to Robert Glennie about British horror films including new cult movie Zombie Diaries.

If you want to get involved in the next edition of DB8 click here and check out their own site!

Information Tool Kit for Young People

Youthinformation.com is The National Youth Agency's online information toolkit for young people.

This site has loads of information you will find interesting.......

Looking for information about...

Money ...... Environment ...... Housing ...... Sports & Leisure

Take a look at Youth Information.com .... it is worth a look .......

Millennium Volunters - The Volunteering site for 16 - 25 year olds in England

Whatsyourv? Join now and find yours.

You’re unique. You can make a difference. It’s just a matter of working out how.

Organise your own music events … take photographs… be a football coach or manager… watch others sweat it out as a race steward… raise money… design websites… work overseas… change the world… change your community… change attitudes… or change a life…

Whatever you're into, vinspired.com can help you use your passions, skills and talents to make a real impact. Tell us what you’re looking for – and where – and vsearch will seek out the volunteering opportunity that’s right for you.

With valerts, you can even get the latest opportunities sent direct to your mobile or email. And, if you need a bit more help to decide, vadvice can put you in touch with volunteering advice centres in your area.

With thousands of volunteering opportunities at your fingertips, it’s never been easier to find your v.

OpenTone Project - Salisbury

Open Tone Logo - Wiltshire's Young People OpenTone is a countywide outreach project, which aims to engage young people with special needs in music and associated arts. The project comprises numerous sensory sound beams, which when activated, produce a huge variety of programmed synthesized sounds and visual displays.

Open Tone - Wiltshire's Young People

OpenTone particularly lends itself to individual and small group therapeutic work.

For furthers details and how to get involved go to Open Tone......

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre - get involved in loads of outdoor activities

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre offers loads of activities.

Get involved in courses either one day or residentials. Full accommodation and catering is available.

Courses include:

Outdoor Survival - extreme firelighting,

shelter building and backwards cookery!

Archery & Mountain Biking,

Air Riffle Shooting (Available end April 08)

Pride Youth

Swindon's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Youth Group

A Little Bit of Pride Youth History

Pride Youth has been running since 1993. Initially we offered a service to young lesbian, gay and bisexual people and those young people unsure of their sexuality but more recently we have extended that service to young transgender people who suffer very similar if not the same issues as young LGB.

Contact us

We're always happy to hear from new members, other youth groups in the area or anyone with a question, concern or comment. We do not offer a crisis or counseling service but can put you in touch with other organisations who have the expertise in that area.

There are four ways to contact us:

Phone or Text
Phone us or send a text message from your mobile and we will reply by text:
07766 872565, just dial 141 to withhold your number is you wish.

E-mail: info@prideyouth.org.uk

Access the Anonymous online form

Want to find out more - follow the link direct to Pride Youth.

Roots 'N' Motion - Cultural Youth Dance Project

Roots 'N' Motion - Wiltshire's Young People

Roots ‘N’ Motion

Cultural Youth Dance Project

At various venues across Wiltshire

£1 fee per session

Roots 'N' Motion - Wiltshire's Young People

Have fun...

Learn new moves...

Make new friends...

Create your own dance routines...

Work towards performances...

For more information or to book a place contact

Lou Forster, Youth Dance Animateur on 07917 050557 or email louiseforster@wiltshire.gov.uk

Find out when its happening in your local area - Go Local

Chippenham Young People - Roots N Motion - Wiltshire Roots N Motion - Wiltshires Young People

South West Music School - Is looking for talent!

SWMS Logo

Talented...? then this should strike a cord!

South West Music School provides advanced training for exceptionally talented young, musicians aged between 8 and 18.

SWMS provides a package of specialist educational support consisting of mentoring, individual tuition and development and residential projects. Our programme is inclusive - ranging from Reggae to Rock, Folk to Flamenco and Bach to Bhangra. Open to all, regardless of musical or personal background.

Interested ?? Why don't you find out more by just clicking here www.swms.org.uk

Think U Know - safety on the internet

If you’re between 11 and 16, you probably know a lot about using the internet.

We’ve created this space for you to share what we think is good, look at what’s not, share experiences of things that have gone wrong and show you ways you can get yourself out of bad situations.

Have a look at this great site: Think U Know

Theatreworks

Are you interested in drama and performance?

Are you a member of a youth theatre?

Would you like to join a youth theatre?

Or even if you just have a passing interest in any aspect of theatre…

www.theatreworks.org.uk is your one stop shop to finding out everything you need to know about theatre in Wiltshire, from joining a youth theatre to seeing some of the best theatre around, in venues that are ready and willing to welcome you.

Find out about what’s on near you, search for jobs and opportunities, or just browse to get a feel for the world of theatre locally.

There is so much going on, don’t miss out! check out www.theatreworks.org.uk

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

D of E logo

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a way of rewarding you for the things that you do in your spare time.

You choose the activities that you do, with advice and support from your Award group. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, help others and experience adventure. And have lots of fun along the way.....

Boat Ride - Wiltshire's Young People

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is well-known and respected. By enrolling with the Award, you will be able to have your skills and personal strengths recognised and rewarded in a totally non-academic way. It's not an exam - you can't fail! It's all about having a go!

Group Photo Some of the activities you choose could lead on to a lifelong interest or your choice of career - who knows where it will lead and what doors it could open for you? What's more, many people including colleges, universities and employers are impressed to see it on your CV.

To achieve your Duke of Edinburgh's Award, you choose which level of Award you want to do - Bronze, Silver or Gold - and then complete 3 different spare time activities plus an Expedition.

The three activities are:

Skill (any hobby or interest eg fishing, guitar playing, acting, Car maintenance etc)
Physical Recreation (any sport eg cycling, football, dance, martial arts, parkour etc)
Service (anything that you do for the benefit of others eg Fund raising, school council, shopping for the elderly etc)

Cliff Top Walk - Wiltshire's Young People

There is no set level of achievement, everything you do is personalised to your own ability and lifestyle, and you are in control of all the decisions.

So go on - Take The Challenge!

If you want to get involved with Duke of Edinburgh contact Louise Mills by email: LouiseMills@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can check out the main D of E site by clicking The Duke of Edinburgh's Award or Go Local to find out where the award is run in your area.

UnLtd Sport Relief Awards" for young people.

United logo - Wiltshire's Young People

Are you an entrepreneurial young person,
between the ages of 11-21?

Sports Relief - Wiltshire's Young people

Would you like to promote understanding
and solve conflict in your community?

Do you have an idea of how to do this
through sport?

UnLtd Sport Relief Awards provide cash and a package of support to individuals across the UK with awards of up to £500 (11–16) and between £500 and £5,000 (17–21). We want to help you use your ideas to tackle conflict and promote understanding in your communities through sports and leisure activities.

All it takes is one great idea. So what are you waiting for?

This could be your chance to get your community moving and score some skills on the way.

Find out all the information by going to United Sports Relief.

Validate UK- prove your age

Validate UK Need to prove your age....

Do you look younger than you are?

Apply for the card by going to their website - Validate UK

WAYS - Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports

WAYS - Wiltshires Young people

WAYS has identified certain key sports that form the basic of the project.

These are Climbing, Parkour, Power, Kiting, Canoeing, Orienteering, Mountain biking, Ultimate Frisbee, Mountain Boarding, Skate Boarding and Bmxing.

Other sports such as American football and cheerleading are also being included as sports on offer and the angle will expand and change as time goes on.

For further information please phone Nick Thrower on 01380 723247 or email Nick Thower at nickthrower@wiltshire.gov.uk

Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership - delivering arts to young people

WYAP Logo - Wiltshire's Young People

WYAP provides young people aged 13 - 21 years with the chance to take part in, enjoy and gain skills from high quality arts activities, that are specific to their needs and interests.

Young people can develop an understanding and enthusiasm for learning through arts opportunities; that helps them to achieve their full potential as both individuals and in groups and encourages them to have a life-long involvement in the arts - as artists, future arts professionals, audiences and participants.

To find out more about what's been going on check out the WYAP Autumn Update

Wiltshire Air Cadets

The Air Training Corps - or Air Cadets, as it is usually known - is a national organisation for boys and girls aged between 13 - 18.

The Air Cadet motto is "Venture-Adventure" and activities include flying, gliding, target shooting, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, model-making, sport, first aid training, orienteering, advenutre training - and a whole lot more!

There are squadrons all over Wiltshire - more local information is coming soon so watch this space to find out when and where they meet!

Know Your Rights

Teenagers & The Law - At what age can I......

Group of Wiltshire's Young People

At 13 – you can work part-time but not more than 2 hours a day and not on Sundays. Also, the type of work you can do is restricted.

At 14 – you can enter a bar on your own, but only buy soft drinks.

By 16 – you can work full-time after the statutory school-leaving date, apply for your own passport and get married with parental consent. A girl can consent to sexual intercourse with a male over 16, and vice versa. You can live independently, provided certain conditions are met. You can marry, with parental consent. You can smoke tobacco, have a beer or cider with a meal in a restaurant/hotel. You can buy a lottery ticket. You can drive a moped. If you are a girl, you can buy emergency contraception over the counter in a pharmacy. If you are looking after a child, you can be charged with cruelty to that child.

By 17 – you can apply for a provisional driving licence. A care order can no longer be made on you.

At 18 – you’re an adult in law – criminal charges against you would be heard in an adult court not the youth court. You can buy and drink alcohol, vote in elections, serve on a jury, open a bank account/post office account on your own.

19 – you’re entitled to stay in full-time education until this age.

Have you ever been stopped by the police?

Wiltshire Police Crest - Wiltshire's Young People

This can be a scary situation to be in and you may wonder what are your rights!

If police stop you, they must tell you why they have stopped you, their name, the police station they’re from and the fact that you can have a copy of the search record.

You don’t have to answer their questions but stay calm and give your name and address.

Don't be offensive or rude you run the risk of being arrested if you are! You don’t need to answer any other questions until you’ve received legal advice.

You can find out more about being under arrest or what happens next by following the links. Find out your rights!

The Enviroment - want to do your bit?

GreENGAuGE - the environment, make your voice heard.

WAY Logo

Launched by Wiltshire Assembly of Youth, ‘The Greengauge Scheme’ challenges youth organisations in Wiltshire to ‘go green’.

We want as many other groups as possible to sign up; scouts and guides, village youth clubs, church groups, and any other groups you’re part of, the list is endless. It doesn’t matter if you have your own building or how small your budget is, all that’s important is that you meet regularly and you want to be environmentally friendly.

Becky Holloway

Becky Holloway, who sits on the Environment Group, says "Although I've always been passionate about the environment, and campaigned for Fairtrade at school, it still surprises me how changing small aspects of everyday life can make a real difference."

WAY have put together a resource pack to help your group to get started, for a copy, more information, please contact us through Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on FelicityH@wiltshirewildlife.org.

We’d also like to know if your group is already involved in any environmental projects, we’re always looking for new ideas.

Recycle for Wiltshire

Help the environment - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.

Recycle for Wiltshire gives you a wealth of information on how you can minimise waste created at home, how the waste and recycling services work in your area and where you can take your rubbish to be recycled.

Check out the the section from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust - www.recycleforwiltshire.com/pupils. Find out what happens to your recycled waste.