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News
Here are all our news articles for the past 2-3 months:
July 2010
- CEOP's ThinkUKnow website
- Domestic violence, a personal story
- Festival Survival Guide
- NoRisks.co.uk
- Youth Talent Night
- Lateral Artistes Youth Drama Group
- BAFTA Game Designer
- BT Internet Ranger
- Career suicide?
- 2012 Olympics
- 16-19? Left school?
- Facebook's 'Panic Button'
- Suffolk Open Weekend
- Film Nation: Shorts
- Saatchi Collection at Ipswich Art School
- Jimmy’s Food Factory
- Crime survey
- Vinspired's Voicebox
- Teen MP visits House of Lords
- Indian Summer Mela
June 2010
- Sexual Health Survey
- Unique Work Taster Opportunities for 18-25s
- What’s on: Kesgrave / Woodbridge
- Street dance
- vcashpoint
- Beyond The Wall
- FREE English Course
- Peasenhall Pea Festival
- BME youth group
- Lowestoft Office closed on 16 June
- Student Finance England update
- Creative media workshops
May 2010
- Win a £50 Amazon voucher
- Rope Walk Youth Club
- Suffolk Show
- It's all the R-AGE
- Suffolk Pride 2010
- Kirkley Centre Youth Cafe
- Suffolk's Olympic Survey
- UCS Convention
- Suffolk Awards: £2,000
- Wenlock & Mandeville
- Caring for a parent with an addiction
- Vcashpoint: £2,500
- Haverhill sports
- Staying Power
- Marlows Youth Club
- Youth Parliament
- Animal science / wildlife courses
- FREE English & Maths
- BBC Blast work experience
- Big Challenge
- O2 launches new programme
- Crimestoppers: Fearless
- Lawstuff
- Dad's World Cup
- Employer Work
- Go with the Flow Bus
CEOP's ThinkUKnow website
Date of article: 29.07.2010
Do you know how to have fun, stay in control and report problems online? :)
Visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk 
, the website from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.
There are separate sections for different age groups, parents and teachers, with loads of resources, and help on how to report problems.
Domestic violence, a personal story
Date of article: 29.07.2010
Bal Kaur Howard is the Suffolk Constabulary's Project & Performance Officer, covering Domestic Abuse Honour Based Violence (Forced Marriage & FGM) and Communities. Here is her personal story.
Please note this article contains distressing material.
I was basically conditioned and moulded from a very early age that my life was going to be controlled, not only on a physical level, but mentally and emotionally.
I was always aware I would have an arranged marriage, but not a forced one. My father told me that I’d better get used to the idea whether I liked it or not and that if I thought about running away he would find me and kill me.
I was given some milk to drink, saying it would help. It made my drowsy and I later suspected it was drugged. That night I was raped by the total stranger who was now my husband. I was only 17 years old and had never even kissed a man before. My mother told me that once you are married you are the property of your husband and must to as you are told.
It felt like a prison sentence without the walls. If only a helpline had existed I would have someone to call, somewhere to turn to for help, guidance and support.
This continued for eight and a half years.
After my third miscarriage I made a mental choice and decided to run. I deserved more – there had to be a better life somewhere. I told one English friend while she helped me pack. I trusted no-one else. It took some careful thought and planning, ensuring all the paperwork with my name and National Insurance number on it was destroyed.
Then came the day of my escape. I knew I had to take what I could and be gone before my husband came home from work. I told the police that I was leaving my marriage and that my family would report me missing and the car stolen. I told them not to waste their time; I was leaving of my own free will.
I drove to London. I felt I was flying. For the first time in my life, I was free.
But I was still full of fear. I scanned every brown face wondering if I recognise them, always looking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn’t being followed. I did this for years.
I wanted both worlds; my freedom and my family. But even after 15 years my family refuse to acknowledge that I exist.
On the plus side, my great escape has given me freedom, an education and control of my own destiny. But the best thing that happened in my whole life is my new husband. He loves me unconditionally and has a heart of gold. I still can’t believe it’s for real.
Please send me an email on bal_kaur101@hotmail.com if you would like advice or want to comment on this article.
Here is a link to the Forced Marriage Unit's publications page - there are leaflets, posters and a short film available: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/forced-marriage/publications
Festival Survival Guide
Date of article: 26.07.2010
Going to festivals this summer? :)
Take a look at these survival guides!
NHS Festival Survival Guide has info on crowd surfing, what to pack, barbeques, protecting your ears, sun safety tips and much more.
Safeconcerts.com Guide has info on important stuff to do before you set out.
NoRisks.co.uk
Date of article: 26.07.2010
A world of sexual health advice at your fingertips
A new website www.norisks.co.uk has been launched by NHS Suffolk to further develop sexual health services.
Julie Smith, Sexual Health Service Manager, said:
"In the UK and locally in Suffolk, we have rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
Although our teenage pregnancy rates are lower than the national average, they are high in some areas, particularly those that are more deprived.
We need to ensure that everyone has access to services, particularly people under the age of 25 who represent the largest group of people requiring sexual health services.
This website has information on STIs, contraception and where you can get help locally."
Youth Talent Night
Date of article: 26.07.2010
A local youth group is on the lookout for performers for its talent show!
Woodbridge-based charity 'Just 42' will be holding "Woodbridge Youth Has Star Talent" at the town’s Riverside Theatre on Friday 17 September from 6.30-9.30pm.
Entrants should be aged between 5 and 19 and anyone interested in registering can visit www.just42.org.uk
The night will also feature the Golden Gnome Animators Award.
For tickets contact 01394 380992.
Lateral Artistes Youth Drama Group
Date of article: 26.07.2010
A message from Kacey Baker, Volunteer of the Year 2010!
Hi, this is Kacey Baker from the Lateral Artistes Youth Drama Group.
I'm writing to inform you that my drama group are currently working on their final project. The performance is called "Something catchy" and is based around sexual health. It's the biggest social issue we have tackled so far!
It would be lovely to see you at our performance. To those who work in youth clubs or with young people, do not hesistate to bring them along as it's mainly aimed at teenagers who must be aware about the importance of sexual health. Not to mention, it is a fun and uplifting performance!
To book tickets, you must go through The Seagull Theatre Box Office - 01502 589726 or www.theseagull.co.uk/events.asp
The performance is on 23 and 24 September.
BAFTA Game Designer
Date of article: 26.07.2010
BAFTA Young Game Designers is an exciting new competition for 11-16 year olds.
Working in a team of 3, you and 2 friends need to get creative and plan, write and illustrate your idea for a new video game.
BT Internet Ranger
Date of article: 26.07.2010
Could you be BT’s Internet Ranger of the Year?
If you're a young person who has helped teach an older person how to use the internet, then you could win an award!
www.btinternetrangers.co.uk/Awards
Career suicide?
Date of article: 26.07.2010
Ha ha! Those pictures of you on Brighton seafront, sprawled on the tarmac after the Big Beach Boutique were hilarious when you took them.
Even funnier when you stuck them on your Facebook page for all the world to see right?
No! You won’t be laughing when your next potential employer does a Google Search and sees exactly what your extra curricular interests are…
Read more: www.careerscope.co.uk/work/socialmedia.html
2012 Olympics
Date of article: 15.07.2010
Games inspiring young people
64,000 young people from across Suffolk and Essex have been inspired by the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games to take up a new sport in their spare time.
The most popular sports for boys include boxing, basketball and free running. For girls it's fencing, gymnastics and badminton.
With London 2012 just 2 years away, Sport England is urging young people not to mis out and sign up for the next round of courses starting in September.
For more info visit www.sportengland.org
16-19? Left school?
Date of article: 14.07.2010
Aged 16 – 19? Just left school and looking for work or training?
Come along to Level 2 (above Tesco in Felixstowe) on Thursday 15 July – anytime between 10am and 2pm.
Find out about the latest jobs, courses and activities, and register with Connexions and get information about benefits/EMA etc.
Refreshments available and don’t forget to tell your mates!
Facebook's 'Panic Button'
Date of article: 12.07.2010
Facebook has announced it will allow a "panic button" application on its social networking site.
The button, aimed at young people, will report abuse to the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and Facebook.
Read more: BBC News article: Facebook unveils 'panic button'
Suffolk Open Weekend
Date of article: 12.07.2010
Open Weekend 2010 takes place from 23-25 July and will include hundreds of cultural events across the UK.
Suffolk's response to this celebration is a fantastic range of events taking place throughout the county, each one offering a unique opportunity for you to join in and take part, and they're all free.
Find out more: http://www.openweekendinsuffolk.com/whats_on.html
Film Nation: Shorts
Date of article: 09.07.2010
Film Nation: Shorts is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the next generation of young film-makers.
It encourages young people aged 14–25 to make short films, telling their own stories in their own way and celebrating the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There’s the chance to learn from experts about how to make a film from scratch, plus there’s the chance to win state-of-the-art equipment and be part of an award ceremony.
Winners will see their work screened in iconic London 2012 venues during the Games!
Find out more: www.filmnation.org.uk
Saatchi Collection at Ipswich Art School
Date of article: 05.07.2010
The world-renowed Saatchi Collection is appearing at Ipswich Art School for a free 6-month exhibition from 10th July onwards!
This exhibition provides unique access to pieces of work from 7 international artists.
Find them at Ipswich Art School Gallery, 1 Upper High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH. Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
Or follow them on:
- www.ipswich.gov.uk/artschool
- www.twitter.com/IpswichArtSch
- www.facebook.com/pages/Ipswich-Art-School/114493715235941
Jimmy’s Food Factory
Date of article: 02.07.2010
Audience members are needed for the second series of Jimmy’s Food Factory.
BBC1 are looking for people to go along to try out some foods that celebrity farmer Jimmy Docherty will be creating in his very own food factory.
A spokesman for the BBC said that those looking to take part in the filming which will span across July 14, 15 and 16 must a good sense of humour and no food allergies :)
Two audiences are required a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Filming will last four to five hours.
Anyone interested in taking part should provide Emma Ostler with personal details by e-mailing emma.oastler@bbc.co.uk
Crime survey
Date of article: 01.07.2010
Members of the Young National Children's Bureau Advisory Group have designed a survey looking at issues connected with young people, crime and perceptions of crime.
The survey asks young people whether they are concerned about crime and asks for their views on what could be done to help young people feel safer.
The survey closes at the end of July!
Link: Crime survey
Vinspired's Voicebox
Date of article: 01.07.2010
Voicebox is a project which aims to curate the views of 16-25s, visualise the results in creative ways, and then set that data free.
Topics include how young people spend their time, what they care about, how many carry knives, what they really think about the area they live in and much more.
The more people take part, the more detailed is the picture that emerges. Each month, new themes will be introduced, and you’ll be able to play with the results by age, gender, location and ethnicity.
The project is being run by V, the national youth volunteers service who want to increase the number of 16-25s in the UK who volunteer. The aim with Voicebox is to better understand young people, so V can deliver programmes better suited to their needs.
The project is open to everyone to take part, however old and wherever they live, so not only can we encourage young people to go online and respond, but we also can freely use the data in our own work.
Link: http://voicebox.vinspired.com/results/
Teen MP visits House of Lords
Date of article: 01.07.2010 - by Matthew Percy, MYP
Back in March I was elected by young people across the county as a Member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) for Suffolk.
This means that I am now a voice for young people in the county along with 6 other young people who were elected in the same manner.
As a group, in Suffolk we are currently setting up a Suffolk Youth Assembly to make sure that all young people get their voice heard. Among other things we are also creating a list of aims to ensure that parks provide a safe and enjoyable place for teenagers to hang out at as well as a safe and enjoyable place for younger children.
As an MYP I have a role to ensure that young people are engaged in politics as it is the young people who are the future of this country and somewhere among that group is the future Prime Minister, but also as well as encouraging them to aim high, we have to ensure that they place their vote at elections when they turn 18, as it is their chance to get their voice heard and possibly make a real impact on how this country's run.
This is why I felt it important to make a trip down to the House of Lords on Tuesday 29th June as one of 5 MYPs from across the UK and among more than 200 students from schools in London to attend a lecture by Lord Puttnam, called 'Young People and Parliament - Bringing the two together'. The lecture which was held in the Queen's Robing Room was part of the Lord Speaker's outreach programme.
In this informative lecture Lord Puttnam (featured in the photo) discussed the rapid growth of digital media from online shopping sites such as Amazon to rapidly growing social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
This digital age has created a range of rapidly evolving tools and channels to enable people to better communicate and engage with politics, campaigns and other issues, said Lord Puttnam. ‘The pace of change is an enormous challenge but presents many opportunities for everyone, particularly young people.’
The Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, said it is important for politicians to engage with and listen to the public using the many digital channels available: ‘Parliament itself has embraced a number of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and blogs, which have dramatically increased our reach to audiences we might not otherwise have contacted through more traditional methods of communication.’
In my view as an MYP this is increasingly more important among young people who regularly access social networking sites, and is why I currently have 2 active social networking MYP pages on Facebook and Bebo, and will be creating more pages on other sites such as Twitter and MySpace.
As well as Lord Puttnam speaking, he had invited guest speaker Uma Akther who was last year an MYP for the constituency of Tower Hamlets, London. She was also the Young Mayor for Tower Hamlets, and now sits on the British Youth Council.
In the lecture she talked about how media makes an impact on our lives and our views, but with much of the media reporting on young people in a negative light and often refusing to report on the good stuff young people do, we often end up with the wrong view of society.
There is so much being said about young people across the country and it is a "hot topic", but it is unfortunate that most of it is negative. The media should recognise the success being demonstrated by young people rather than focus on crime and violence. The main issue for young people in my constituency would be that they lack hope and aspirations. I blame the media and the stereotypical views held against them...."we all need to presume less and understand more", says Uma.
The lecture is being broadcast this Saturday at 9:00pm on BBC Parliament. It will also be on the BBC iplayer. There will also be voxpops of the event on Parliament's Youtube and Flickr channels.
Indian Summer Mela
Date of article: 30.06.2010
The Ipswich "Indian Summer Mela" is taking place on Sunday 11 July at Christchurch Park, Ipswich, from 12 noon until 6pm.
It's organised by the Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association, and has stunning and colourful performances of Indian dance, songs, poetry and music.
Link: Ipswich Summer Mela Poster 
Sexual Health Survey
Date of article: 30.06.2010
A review is going on about sexual health services in schools and we need your help!
There's a short survey you can fill in, which will take about 5 minutes.
It's completely anonymous and confidential, so don't worry!
Here's the link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/brooksurvey-suffolk
Unique Work Taster Opportunities for 18-25s
Date of article: 29.06.2010
Going, going, gone...for a good cause!
A unique fundraising auction of work experience placements for young people is set to raise money for Suffolk's three hospices.
High Sheriff of Suffolk Tessa Innes, with help from her friends, has persuaded around 60 local, national and international companies to offer between 1 and 4 weeks of work experience to help young people aged between 18 and 25 get a foot on the career ladder.
Mrs Innes is hoping parents and grandparents will bid online for the opportunities as a way of supporting their relatives' career hopes and helping local charities. Many of the companies are based in Suffolk or London but there are also one-off placements in San Francisco and Monaco.
Roles range from landscape gardening, yachting, banking, food and hospitality, fashion design to marketing and journalism. Bids start from £50 and all proceeds will be shared between three charities, East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), St Nicholas Hospice Care and St Elizabeth Hospice.
Some of the work experiences opportunities young people can choose from are at:
- The Suffolk Food Hall
- The East Anglian Daily Times editorial department
- Fashion houses Hermes, Bruce Oldfield or Amanda Wakeley
- Christie's auction house
- Sadler's Wells - London's home of dance
- Royal Academy of the Arts
- Country Life or the Lady magazine
- Aldeburgh Music at Snape Maltings Concert Hall
- London art gallery The Portland gallery
- Yachting company Edmiston in Monaco
- The marketing department of pure software company Autonomy in San Francisco
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel, London
Urgent deadline!
To view the full range of opportunities and bid visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/auction before 5pm on 30 June.
What’s on: Kesgrave / Woodbridge
Date of article: 29.06.2010
Wondering if anything's on in the Kesgrave or Woodbridge areas?
This covers Grange Farm, Marltesham, Melton, Orford and Otley.
- Kesgrave Youth Club, Main Road, Kesgrave, IP5 2BP – Thursdays, 7.30-9.30pm. Tel: 01473 617452.
- Detached Youth workers – Monday lunchtimes at Kesgrave High School and on the streets of Kesgrave and Martlesham, all evenings 6.30–9.30pm.
- Rochford Youth Club, Rochford House, 19 New Street Woodbridge IP12 1DY – Monday to Thursdays any time in the evening. Tel: 01473 723573.
Street dance
Date of article: 24.06.2010
Get yourself up to Boston Lodge, Lowestoft, for street dance and hip hop nights , starting Thursday 1st July. It's FREE :)
vcashpoint
Date of article: 21.06.2010
v, the independent charity set up to encourage young people to volunteer, has launched the next application round of the vcashpoint scheme.
vcashpoint is giving away £2,500 to 16-25 year olds in England with ideas for a London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games inspired volunteering project to improve their community.
Eligible individuals can apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to bring their idea to life.
To apply for a vcashpoint grant, you must be aged 16-25, live in England, and be up for running the project yourself. You’ll need to show how your project will help other people (not relatives), the environment or your community and how it has been inspired by London 2012.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 6 September 2010.
For more information, visit http://vinspired.com/rewards/vcashpoint
Beyond The Wall
Date of article: 17.06.2010
Interested in taking part in activities at Thornham Walled Garden, this August?
Work at Thornham Walled Garden focusses on people over 16 with disabilities.
On offer is: gardening, conservation, walking for fitness, ICT/photography, drumming and music/singing.
Thinking about it? There's a free taster weekend on 24 and 25 July!
For more info, and to book your place, download the flyer:
Beyond The Wall - Find out more and apply
FREE English Course
Date of article: 16.06.2010
There's a FREE English course, for young parents aged 16-20.
It's taking place every Monday, at Hawthorn Drive in Ipswich, from 21 June for 6 weeks ... you can achieve the equivalent of an A-C GCSE!
Download details of FREE English course
Or for details of all young parent groups, visit www.thesource.me.uk/youngparents
Peasenhall Pea Festival
Date of article: 16.06.2010
We're going pea mad in Peasenhall ...
... on Sunday 18 July!!!!
The village of Peasenhall, in sleepy Suffolk, wakes up every year for the annual Pea Festival.
The Pea-ple of Peasenhall love these little round and green vegetables so much that the 3rd annual Festival will happen on Sunday 18 July from 11.00am-4.00pm.
Peasenhall was originally known in Anglo Saxon times as Pesehala, ‘Nook of Land where peas grow’ and the village has only recently re-discovered its pea heritage after a gap of some 400 years.
What's happening at the event??
- The World Pea Podding Championships
- The National Fresh Pea Throwing Finals
- Regional Pea Shooting Competitions
- Pea Eating (with chopsticks!) Competition
- Drop a Pea
- Flick a Pea
- The Pea Quiz
- The Great Pea Draw
- Fun cooking with pea recipe demonstrations
- ... and many more whacky pea-themed activities and sideshows :)
The Famous Pea and Pork sausage and burger BBQ sizzle is back in operation and the delicious Sweet Pea cupcakes return along with a range of other pea-tainted refreshments. There will be a Licensed Bar with local beer, live entertainment with, among others, local musician Reg Reader, who will bring along his dulcimer.
They are all working to celebrate Peas and pea culture: re-connecting with the pea past of Peasenhall. The day will also include a Pea Pageant with a fancy dress parade including the Queen Pea, Princess Sweet Pea and her Prince (of peas).
Speaking today, Peasenhall pea personality and local pea pundit Sally Tompkins said:
We're working hard to make this year’s festival of peas even better than last year, building on our pea past and pea potential. It’s great as the whole village gets involved and includes all age groups. This year, as usual, we are timing it to coincide with the Latitude festival weekend. The Pea Festival provides a fantastic alternative to Latitude as well as a place for tired and weary musicians, poets, actors and other performers from the music and arts festival to take a break and relax, revive themselves and enjoy a bit of local Suffolk culture and pea entertainment!!!!
Find us or get more info!
Find Peasenhall on Google Maps
Or contact Sally Tompkins on 01728 60457 / sallytompkins@gmail.com, or Ann Daniels on 01728 660159 / ann@mooncats.plus.com
BME youth group
Date of article: 15.06.2010
We've posted up the latest report from the BME (Black & Minority Ethnic) youth group.
This group is a platform for BME young people to voice their opinion and concerns, promote participation and organise activities and events that reflect the needs of BME young people.
In recent months, the group has been working with Suffolk Constabulary, looking at Stop and Search issues.
Read the full report here: BME youth group report
Lowestoft Office closed on 16 June
Date of article: 15.06.2010
Due to a staff shortage, we'll need to close our Lowestoft centre (Opportunity House) on Wednesday 16 June.
Don't worry though, it reopens the following day - Thursday 17 June.
Student Finance England update
Date of article: 07.06.2010
The deadline to apply for funding from Student Finance England is 25th June 2010.
For more details: Student Finance England information
Creative media workshops
Date of article: 03.06.2010
BBC Blast is offering free creative media workshops with industry professionals for 13-19 year olds.
Why not take advantage of this interesting opportunity??
It's taking place in Bury St Edmunds, at West Suffolk College.
Here's the flyer: BBC Blast in Bury St Edmunds
For bookings, visit www.bbc.co.uk/blast/events
Contact Simon Pickering (BBC Blast Event Organiser, 07851 619779) to make large group bookings.
Win a £50 Amazon voucher
Date of article: 28.05.2010
Want to win a £50 Amazon voucher?!!!!
Following the expenses scandal and election of the first coalition UK Government since World War Two, ideas about how to change politics in the UK are top of the political agenda. The British Youth Council wants to hear the views of young people on political reform.
Go onto our Facebook page to enter the prize draw survey: facebook.com/suffolkyouthconnexions
Rope Walk Youth Club
Date of article: 28.05.2010
There's a new youth club taking place on Thursdays from 6pm-8.30pm at the Ipswich Seventh Day Adventist Church on Rope Walk, Ipswich, IP4 1ND.
What can you do there? Develop your creativity skills, character/leadership skills and physical fitness, and take part in social activities, cooking and music/singing lessons. Food and drink available.
For more info, phone Tracy Jones on 07929 844436 or Faye Goldsworthy on 07969 819788.
Suffolk Show
Date of article: 26.05.2010
The Suffolk Youth and Connexions Service will make an appearance at the Suffolk Show!
This takes place at Trinity Park Showground, just outside Ipswich.
Find us at stands 680-684 on Wednesday 2 June and Thursday 3 June.
For more information, visit
www.suffolk.gov.uk/News/BreakingNews/SuffolkShow2010.htm
It's all the R-AGE
Date of article: 26.05.2010
It’s all the R-AGE ... a new place for young people to go ...
A new and exciting youth centre (designed by young people, for young people, aged 13-19) in the heart of Bury St Edmunds will be launched during half term week.
It's called R-AGE.
Get down to 46 St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, anytime from 12 – 6pm.
Facilities include X-Box consoles, DJ turntables, Wi-Fi and a Nintendo Wii plus access to independent support.
Youth worker Nathan Vincent from the Suffolk Youth and Connexions Service, said "It was essential young people were involved in the design process. They were given the opportunity to work on the project in their design class and see their ideas come to life. They have decided on the name and identity of the R-AGE and we invite young people to come along and check out what’s on offer."
Suffolk Pride 2010
Date of article: 26.05.2010
Suffolk Pride 2010 features a community market, food, trade stalls, entertainment and live music all afternoon.
It takes place on Sunday 20 June from 2pm-8pm, at Christchurch Park, Ipswich.
For more information, visit www.suffolkpride.co.uk
Kirkley Centre Youth Cafe
Date of article: 25.05.2010
There's a new Youth Cafe opening at the Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South, Lowestoft.
The opening is taking place on Friday 28 May at 7.30pm-9.30pm. The cafe will then be open every other Friday!
There will be a Police Community Support Officer (Ailsa McNamara) present all the time for advice and support.
Ailsa McNamara says, "This is a great opportunity for young people to drop in for a drink and catch up with some friends. I enjoy getting to know people at events like this and hope that it will make both myself, and the Constabulary more approachable to youngsters in the area which is essential if you want people to report crime and come to us for support."
Karen Booth, of Youth and Connexions Service adds, "Kirkley has been in need of a place for young people to meet in a safe environment on a Friday night for some time so it’s good to see this project coming together so successfully. Young people have been involved in planning the youth cafe, so this is something that has very much come from the community. The cafe is open to all young people aged 13-17 so I encourage young people in the area to come down and get involved."
Suffolk's Olympic Survey
Date of article: 21.05.2010
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games offers a once in a generation opportunity for communities of Suffolk to benefit socially, economically and environmentally from the largest event the world ever stages.
Suffolk County Council is striving to make the most of this opportunity.
Please could you take the time the complete the short survey below to help with Suffolk's Olympic planning.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/HJ3965G
UCS Convention
Date of article: 20.05.2010
A Higher Education Convention (HEC) is taking place at the University Campus Suffolk (UCS) on Thursday 17th June 9.30am – 3.30pm.
You can meet representatives from over 100 universities and colleges and attend seminars on student finance, how to apply, how to choose a course and taking a gap year.
If you're thinking of going into higher education from September 2011, then your school or college will probably be attending the HEC event – check with your head of year to find out more.
Suffolk Awards: £2,000
Date of article: 20.05.2010
Young people in Suffolk can make a difference without bidding for 15 minutes of fame.
The YOPEY awards have just been launched for a second year.
It recognises young people who go above and beyond and make a difference to others.
They could win a slice of £2,000 in prize money. The best young people from Suffolk will win £1,000. The second-place winner will collect £500. Third place and the Junior Suffolk Young People of the Year will each win £250.
Read more here: www.heart.co.uk/suffolk/local/news/suffolk-awards-young-people/
Wenlock & Mandeville
Date of article: 20.05.2010
Meet Wenlock and Mandeville - the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots!
Watch the mascot video to find out more about them and their story: www.london2012.com/mascots
Focus groups of young people and families helped form the designs and children's author Michael Morpurgo added a story concept for an animated series.
"They will connect young people with sport, and tell the story of our proud Olympic and Paralympic history," said Chairman Lord Coe.
"The young people involved told us a number of things: they weren't that sold on furry animals and they actually wanted a story," Coe added.
Give your view on the mascots! www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2010/05/london_2012_mascots_whats_your.html
Caring for a parent with an addiction
Date of article: 19.05.2010
What's it like caring for a parent with an addiction?
Imagine being 10 years old and having to cook, clean, wash-up, help your mum and dad around the house and even put them to bed, all after a day at school...
That's the life of many young carers who are forced to look after parents who have a drink and drugs problem.
Read the full article here:
BBC Newsbeat: Caring for a parent with an addiction
Vcashpoint: £2,500
Date of article: 18.05.2010
vcashpoint is giving away £2,500 to 16-25 year olds in England with ideas for London 2012 inspired projects in their communities!
If you've got an idea for a London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games inspired volunteering project to improve your community, you could apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to bring your idea to life.
To get your brains-whirring Olympic and Paralympic Games themes include: Sport, Health Culture, Education and Environment.
To apply for a vcashpoint grant, please head to www.vinspired.com/vcashpoint
You must be aged 16-25, live in England, and be up for running the project yourself. You'll need to show how your project will help other people (not relatives), the environment or your community and how it has been inspired by London 2012.
If you have any queries about your vcashpoint application, please call our free helpline on 0800 089 9000 or email vcashpointqueries@bss.org
Haverhill sports
Date of article: 18.05.2010
New multi sports session for young people in Haverhill with additional needs
Young people will be able to try out football, basketball, cricket, athletics and table tennis at an eight-week multi sports session run by Ipswich Town Community Trust.
The sessions, starting on Wednesday 19 May at Haverhill Leisure Centre, are aimed at young people aged from 5-15 years old with additional needs or disabilities. However, young people of all abilities are welcome to attend, including their siblings or friends.
Trained coaches will deliver the session, but where a high level of care is required, the young person will need to bring one-to-one support.
Supported by Ability Counts and Activities Unlimited, the sessions run from 4pm to 5pm and cost £8 for eight weeks. To book visit Haverhill Leisure Centre or telephone 01440 702548.
Staying Power
Date of article: 18.05.2010
FREE theatre presentation for Year 7 or 8 students!
'Theatre& Learning' is touring the area with its new performance, "Staying Power".
Change doesn't necessarily mean staying in school. Young people have lots of options available to them, like full-time education (school or college), work-based learning (Apprenticeships), or part-time education and training (if employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week).
The presentation is 40 minutes long and there's a 10 minute evaluation at the end.
This is taking place between Monday 5th July and Friday 16th July 2010.
Places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and we expect demand to be high, so ask your school to book places for you by calling Lyndsay Smith (Events Administrator, Aimhigher Suffolk) on 01484 532967 or emailing lsmith@theatreand.com
Download the invitation letter: Staying Power theatre presentation
Marlows Youth Club
Date of article: 10.05.2010
Marlows Youth Club is opening in Ipswich on Monday 17 May 2010!
The club will be for 13-16 year olds, and taking place every Monday from 7.15pm to 9pm at Westbourne Sports Centre, Marlow Road, Ipswich.
Activities include...
- BBQ
- games nights
- trips
- DJ sessions
- cookery lessons
- Plus loads more!
Or why not just meet there your with your friends?
Entry is FREE.
For more details call 07512 032347 or 01473 462171.
Youth Parliament
Date of article: 10.05.2010
How much do you know about the "Young Voices Youth Parliament"?
Young Voices Youth Parliament is all about young people with disabilities challenging professionals to make services better.
There are 12 ‘Youth MPs’. We are voted by our peers. Then we listen to our voters to find out what people want to change.
We have a big meeting every three months. We tackle all sorts of subjects from banking to bus passes, from day support to direct payments.
We decide what to talk about then we meet with the people who have the power to make change. The Parliament meetings are big events. We tackle one subject at each meeting. Decision making guests are invited, people who have the power to make a real difference. For example, our guests have included; the mayor, councillors, Learning Disability Partnership commissioners, chief executives, bank managers and Westminster MPs.
If we think the guests are not listening to us then we follow up with a campaign. Our campaigns have included petitions, newspaper articles, radio coverage and presentations to the Council.
By challenging services the Youth Parliament delivers a powerful message and brings about real change. The Youth MPs develop their confidence and learn new skills.
We sum up our aim with the slogan ‘What We Say Goes Along Way’.
For more info, contact Keiron Whall, Project Worker on:
- Mobile: 07545422468
- Telephone: 0845 2412576
- Fax: 08452 412577
Or write to:
- Young Voices Youth Parliament
- Out & About
- Claydon Court
- Old Ipswich Road
- Claydon
- Suffolk
- IP6 0AE
Read the minutes of the latest meeting, held in February
Animal science / wildlife courses
Date of article: 06.05.2010
Are you interested in animal science or wildlife management courses?
If so, come along the open event at UCS Otley on Thursday 13 May 2010 from 6.30pm-9.00pm
For more info visit:
www.ucs.ac.uk/study/SchoolsAndCentres/Otley/otley.aspx
FREE English & Maths
Date of article: 06.05.2010
FREE Maths course and FREE English course for young parents aged 16-20
Want to find out more about learning maths and english, and gaining the equivalent of a GCSE Grade A-C?
Link: Maths and English courses 
BBC Blast work experience
Date of article: 06.05.2010
18-24? Looking to get ahead in the creative industries? Want experience working with BBC teams?
BBC Blast is coming to Bury St Edmunds this summer and they need your help!
Blast is the BBC's youth creativity service. From first-timers to emerging artists, Blast gives you the chance to have a go at new creative skills, showcase their own work and find out more about working in the creative industries.
Blast on Tour takes it mobile media village across the country each year offering free creative workshops, showcases and masterclasses. The Tour will be stopping at Bury St Edmunds, Arc Shopping Centre from 24-26 June 2010 and they're looking for talented young people aged 18-24 to fill work experience placements.
Visit jobs.bbc.co.uk/fe/tpl_bbc03.asp?newms=jj&id=32602 or email blast-burystedmunds@bbc.co.uk for more info and details of how to apply.
Big Challenge
Date of article: 05.05.2010
UnLtd, the charity that supports social enterprises, has announced that the Big Challenge competition is now open for entries.
Link: www.bigchallenge.org.uk/default.aspx
The Big Challenge is a competition for young people funded by Vodafone and youth charity "V", along with Social Enterprise Foundation and competition organisers UnLtd.
The contest offers either groups of young people or those working on their own aged between 16 and 25 the chance to win a share of £65,000 funding to carry out projects that use volunteering to help tackle the problems facing the 21st century.
This year's Big Challenge theme focuses on bringing communities together. Individuals can apply on their own or in a group with other young people. Applications can be submitted in any creative format and will be shortlisted by UnLtd Youth Leadership Team before a final vote by the public.
Successful applicants will get part of the Challenge fund they will have their project costs paid for and support and mentoring over the rest of the Challenge year to make their ideas a reality.
For information on projects that were shortlisted in 2009 please visit www.bigchallenge.org.uk/shortlist.aspx?archive=true
The competition closes at 3pm on Tuesday 6th July and completion entrants will hear by Tuesday 3rd August about whether they have been short-listed. The on-line public vote for short-listed projects goes live on the 4th August 2010.
O2 launches new programme
Date of article: 05.05.2010
O2 has announced the launch of a new programme to support projects by young people (13 – 25) that have a positive impact upon their community.
Link: www.o2thinkbig.co.uk
The new programme, called "Think Big", will offer young people up to £300 in grants as well as training, support and mentoring from a number of youth charities. These include the National Youth Agency and UK Youth.
Examples of projects that could be supported could include fighting knife crime, starting local youth groups, teaching skills to other young people or renovating community spaces.
Eligible projects should be run by young people for young people, and may have the opportunity to apply for a further £2,500 to continue their work.
Applications can be submitted by individual young people or groups of young people and can be submitted at any time.
Crimestoppers: Fearless
Date of article: 05.05.2010
Crimestoppers create crime fighting programme for young people!
A new service for young people has been set up to encourage them to report instances of crime: www.fearless.org
Charity Crimestoppers has set up its Fearless scheme to give young people information about crimes that affect them and also urges them to report any crimes they are aware of. Any information passed on is completely anonymous.
A team of Crimestoppers staff will also run workshops and presentations about the service in schools and youth groups, explaining the reasons why reporting crimes is so important and why Fearless is a safe way of doing it.
Matt Wilk, the charity's head of youth at Crimestoppers said: "Young people are one of the most important audiences for Crimestoppers to communicate with, but they haven't always understood or been willing to interact with the charity.
"One of the key reasons for re-launching Crimestoppers for young people is to empower them to be fearless in passing on information about crime anonymously, safe in the knowledge that their identity will never be revealed and they will never have to speak to the police."
Barry Mizen, the father of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen who is due to speak at today's event, said: "Young people can be worried about reporting crime to the police for fear of being found out, so it's great that there is another way for them to pass on information about crime anonymously so no one will ever find out who they are.
"As a parent, I would urge other parents and those who work with young people to let them know about Fearless in case they hold information about crime and need somewhere safe to pass it on."
The scheme was launched by Crimestoppers at Ministry of Sound and featured performances from young people and grime music artist Doctor.
Lawstuff
Date of article: 05.05.2010
The Children’s Legal Centre has launched a new website providing a wide range of information to young people about their legal rights and the laws affecting them.
The website address is: www.lawstuff.org.uk
The website contains information on the rights of young people and the laws that affect all aspects of their lives – education, healthcare, discrimination, policing, age-based laws, leaving home and more. There's also information for young people who are in care or leaving care and for migrant children.
Lawstuff was developed in recognition of the lack of legal information available that is specifically aimed at young people. The content and design of the website was informed by the views of a diverse group of young people, which the Centre gathered through a series of youth forums that were held across the country last year. Young people taking part in these forums provided a lot of information about what they would want from a legal website and the legal issues that are relevant to their day to day lives.
Dad's World Cup
Date of article: 05.05.2010
There's a 6-a-side tournament for local Dads of all ages and abilities taking place at Kirkley High School in June...
Get along to Kirkley High School on Saturday 19 June 2010 for 11am!
As well as the 6-a-side football tournament there's a family fun day with lots of prizes to be won.
There's also activity taster sessions for all the family including dance, aerobics, martial arts, bouncy castles, children's entertainer and more - and it's all FREE!
Register your team now or contact Tracey for more info - phone 01502 719527 or email traceyread@nhs.net
Employer Work
Date of article: 05.05.2010
A message from Youth and Connexions...
Now we all know how difficult it is to get jobs at the best of times, let alone during a recession.
However there are jobs out there and we’re determined to help find them for you.
Although we have a dedicated employer team who work throughout the year to keep in touch with employers, making links and trying to get job opportunities, we want to do more.
All the Personal Advisers and Recruitment Advisers in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe are spending a week (beginning Monday 10th May) visiting a whole range of employers to try and find vacancies for a variety of different job areas.
We’ll be putting any vacancies we find here on this website, so keep your eye on the Jobs4U page!
Go with the Flow Bus
Date of article: 04.05.2010
A double-decker bus with computers, music, games, advice and guidance for young people...
The Go with the Flow Bus... the idea came from Framlingham and Leiston schools who saw a need for a new place for young people aged 13+ to meet up and socialise out of school.
So, funding was raised, a bus was bought, it was converted and refurbished... simple really!
Is it visiting your area?
See the website: www.gowiththeflowbus.com