• Supporting local groups through a small funds grant scheme in Wear Valley

2D is rewarded for Investing in Children

"I would like to thank all those children and young people who have recently shown their appreciation and support for myself and Susie during interviews by workers from Investing in Children.

In Teesdale, the focus was around the Youth Forum where the young people felt that they were given full responsibility and that adults valued them and listened to the issues they raised. In Wear Valley, the interviews occurred during the Play Day and much of the discussion centred on how they had influence changes and taken on roles of responsibility.

The young people said that "we are listened to an awful lot at 2D", they are "helped to have a voice" and sometimes even "taken more serious than adults".

As a result of their research, 2D has been nominated for Investing in Children status and will be presented with the award at the AGM on 2nd October, when a short presentation of change will be given by some local children and young people."

Robert Fothergill.

Teesdale Youth Forum Celebrates First Annual General Meeting

Susie went out on a high after the success of the first Teesdale Youth Forum AGM on Friday 18th July.

Local group leaders, decision makers and young people enjoyed dinner and entertainment at the Jersey Farm Hotel.

The event was planned by the Teesdale Youth Forum members to give them a chance to meet with adults who make decisions and can influence the agenda for young people in the Dale.

Guests included District and County Councillors, Richard Betton, Richard Bell, Barbara Harrison, Stephen Hugill, the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnard Castle, John and Marie Yarker amongst many others. The youth forum members introduced themselves and conversed over dinner.

The evening was also planned as an opportunity to thank the adult workers who run the groups that the Youth Forum is made up of. This included groups such as The Guides, The Scouts, Teesdale Swimming Club, UTASS Drop In, the YMCA, TCR, Rotters and Radio Teesdale. The group leaders, most of them

volunteers were invited to come along to the celebration and we’re surprised to be presented with certificates of thanks from the Youth Forum for all their hard work for Teesdale’s young people.

Radio Teesdale group leader Ros Evans said "It was a very uplifting evening- and really showed what young people can achieve. I felt proud to be invited to the celebration of the first successful year of the Youth Forum."

Teesdale Youth Forum can be contacted via Robert Fothergill.

Younger Voices Make A Difference

There have been a number of developments over the summer months that show how things are moving forward in the dales area and the voices of children and young people are being taken seriously.

• Teesdale Youth Forum held their AGM and celebration event and now have their own elected officers

• Weardale young people have pushed for their own forum and plans are developing to establish this, supported by the National Youth Agency, who have a staff member living in St John Chapel

• Howden-le-Wear children and young people attended a community meeting hosted by Hilary Armstrong MP and have held their first meeting for their new village youth forum

• The Local Children’s Board has honoured their promise to be led by young people and have responded to the research undertaken across the dales regarding the Key Improvement Priorities (KIP). The next ones to be tackled are "teenage pregnancy" and then either "bullying" or "alcohol abuse".

A number of children and young people (and their workers too!) have expressed some confusion over what the 12 KIPs are and what these mean to them on a day by day basis. In response to this a number of arts-based projects are being run over the next couple of months to illustrate and explain each one in the children and young people’s own words.

Remember…your voice really does matter – don’t forget to use it.

Live in Teesdale or Wear Valley? Whether you are young yourself, or you work with children and young people, please feel free to contact Robert by phone, text or e-mail on:

01388 762220, 07725 707560 or r.fothergill@2d.org.uk