UK
"I was impressed with county’s young people"
The Children’s Commissioner for England has met youngsters from the county and explored the services available to them.
Dr Maggie Atkinson, whose role is to champion the views and best interests of youngsters in England, toured a number of venues in the county, including St John’s Youth Centre in Swanpool Walk, St John’s, and Youthcomm radio station – a project run by and for young people.
Dr Atkinson said: “I was really impressed by my visit to Worcestershire. During the day, I met children from a broad range of backgrounds who were involved with many different organisations. The one thing they had in common was that they were all very articulate and able to express thoughtful opinions. Their views and opinions will help to influence my work.”
Her first port of call was Green Hill Lodge children’s home in Worcester, where she was greeted by staff and members of Who Cares We Care, a children’s council made up of youngsters in care. The council, which was formed in 2007, presented Dr Atkinson with a written copy of its pledge, a written promise of what young people in the county can expect from Worcestershire County Council, signed by councillors Liz Eyre and Marcus Hart, who are responsible for children’s services.
This was followed by the trip to Youthcomm with students Edward Workman, a member of Worcestershire Youth Cabinet, and Robert Rietz, the representative for North East Worcestershire in the UK youth parliament.
They discussed issues of relevance to local youngsters, ranging from transport to tuition fees. For interested listeners, it will be broadcast every day next week at 3.30pm on Youthcomm radio, frequency 106.7FM.
Gail Quinton, the county council’s director of children’s services. praised the commissioner’s visit. She said: “Some services such as those for looked-after children, do not always get the recognition that they deserve. It is fantastic to have this opportunity to showcase all the hard work put into such services and how they can benefit our most vulnerable young people.”
News item
15 October 2010
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/8455811.I_was_impressed_with_county___s_young_people/
