Young people organise Youth Fun Day to celebrate International Youth Day

Young people are invited to join in some summer fun this week at a charity raising event on Sunday 11 August 2013 in celebration of International Youth Day.

The Youth Fun Day event is taking place at the New Lodge Youth Centre in Monkmoor, Shrewsbury from midday to 4pm, and has been organised by a group of young people with support from Shropshire Council’s positive activities team as part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme.

The event includes glitter art tattoos, henna tattoos, face-painting, music, locally-sourced barbecue, cake stalls and much more.

As well as providing many fun activities for young people, the event aims to raise the profile of young people in a positive way, and raise funds for Severn Hospice and a local food bank.

The young organisers had recently been on a two-week residential course as part of the NCS programme, which brings together young people from different backgrounds to learn new skills and to make a difference within the local community during the summer holidays.  As part of the programme, young people develop social action projects within their communities, and the youth group decided it would be a good idea to organise a charity-raising event as part of the International Youth Day celebrations.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, said:

“I am really impressed to see the work these young people are doing in their communities as a result of them taking part in the NCS programmes.  It really goes to show, by giving young people the support to help improve their self-esteem, confidence, team building and communication skills, it enables them to become a real credit to their community.

“I wish them every success for their event, and encourage many young people to come along on Sunday to have some fun and help raise money for worthy causes.”

Pam Moseley, local Shropshire Councillor for Monkmoor, added:

“I am delighted that the International Youth Day will be celebrated on Sunday at an event at New Lodge in Monkmoor, organised by local young people.  The skills that they have acquired on the NCS, together with their hard work, have enabled them to plan a fun event which will also support the Barnabus food bank, a valuable resource for families in the town.”

For more information about the event and youth activities in your area, contact Shropshire Council’s positive activities team on 01743 344500 or visit our website at http://www.shropshireyouth.com/. 

Further information

International Youth Day was established by the United Nations in 2000 as a means of raising awareness of issues affecting young people around the world.

The NCS programme is growing, with nearly double the number of participants this year compared to last, and enables participants to challenge themselves, improve their leadership, communication and team building skills.