Leasowe community groups join forces to help young people

Sep 30 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

COMMUNITY groups have joined forces to improve the opportunities for young people in Leasowe.

Representatives from more than 20 organisations have pledged to work more closely to ensure that under-18s are given a voice in their community.

More than 75 people also attended a Youth Charter presentation at Wallasey School.

Assisted by Geoff Thompson, one of the world’s leading youth and community activists, participants discussed how to create and deliver a vision for a better future.

Mary Quigg, managing director of Leasowe Community Homes, said: “There are pockets of really good, creative work being undertaken in Leasowe, but we all recognise that a strategic, joined-up approach will reap massive benefits for the whole community.”The organisations involved include Arena Housing, the Learning Lighthouse, Leasowe Adventure Playground, Leasowe Community Centre, Leasowe Development Trust, Leasowe Recreation Centre and Leasowe Tenants Association.

Also represented are local councillors, Castleway Primary, Leasowe Primary, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wallasey Amateur Boxing Club and Wallasey School.

Kayleigh Barnes, 17, said: “We want to find ways of bridging the generation gap so that we can all communicate more effectively and bring our combined vision to reality. This newly-formed youth partnership will really help us all to understand each other better and to make the most of resources coming into the area.”

Mr Thompson, who is executive chairman of the organisation Youth Charter, said: “A year ago I was invited to visit the Leasowe community and share with them a vision that was both real and achievable.

“A year on, real positive steps have been made.”