Liverpool teens make a difference on their doorstep with Government youth funds » Communities » 24dash.com

A film about racism in Liverpool is to be made by a group of local teenagers following a decision made on a residential weekend in Derbyshire.

Youngsters from Liverpool Disability Advisory Council (DAC) and the Liverpool Youth Council took part in the weekend at Crowden in Longdendale to thrash out applications from teenagers for Government money to improve youth services on their own doorsteps.

The teenagers assessed projects for funding through the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)'s Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) and Youth Capital Fund (YCF), which allow teenagers to decide what positive leisure time activities and facilities should be available to them and other young people.

Two projects were approved: A grant of £5,470 has been given to a group of teenagers from the Topspin Table Tennis Club who will make a film about racism in Liverpool, providing a means to become educated in many social areas and develop new skills. It is planned that the film will be ready for broadcast in March 2009.

A further grant of £9,508 will allow Merseyside Society for Deaf People to employ two youth workers with British Sign Language skills to deliver youth club sessions three nights a week in West Derby for youngsters with hearing difficulties.

The Derbyshire weekend was one of three meetings this year of the Youth Council, made up of elected members aged 13 to 19, to decide which potential youth schemes will receive YOF and YCF grants of up to £10,000.

To celebrate their hard work the teenagers then enjoyed a daredevil weekend of zip wiring over fast-flowing rivers, archery and ten-pin bowling.

Claire Hayes, Youth Participation Worker at Liverpool City Council, said: "The weekend was a great opportunity for members of the Youth Council and DAC to get together and make decisions on future YOF and YCF funding for activities and projects applied for by teenagers in their local community.

"We also wanted to recognise the hard work all of these young Liverpool people have put into the Youth Council and DAC throughout the year.

"We're always keen to recruit new people to the council so if you are aged between 13 and 19 and would like to join the Liverpool Youth Council, please contact your local youth worker to find out when your local elections are being held."

Membership of the Disability Advisory Council (DAC) is by invitation and those between 14 and 24 who are interested can contact George Brooks at Liverpool Youth Service to find out more. Members of the DAC visit local youth centres and provide feedback on how they could be improved for better disabled access

Gary Molyneux-Chan, aged 16, said: "I joined the Youth Council because I thought it would be a good opportunity to help represent the young people throughout Liverpool. It is enjoyable and educates us through experiences. Everyone is very welcoming and understanding and helpful."

Victor Truong, also 16, added: "The Youth Council empowers young people, challenges you and lets you make a difference in your local area. It's also great way to meet new friends."

The money distributed is part of an almost £9.5 million Government fund made available to young people in Liverpool between 2008 and 2011. The purpose of the fund, which is administered by Liverpool City Council, is to enable local young people to decide what positive leisure time activities and facilities should be available to them and other teenagers.

Experience shows that young people are more likely to get involved in positive activities when they have a say in what is available, and that taking part helps them to learn new skills, as well as divert them from behaviour that might be considered by the wider community as anti-social.

The next youth panel will be held in October. If you're aged between 13 and 19, live in Liverpool and have an idea for an activity contact: your local youth worker or visit http://www.lys.org.uk.