A recently formed youth group, set up to support and promote youth activities in the surrounding area, presented to Wilmslow Town Council this week.
The SK9 Youth Group attended the Town Council meeting on Monday, 18th November, to introduce themselves and provide an overview of their project.
Maxine Smith, of Cheshire East Council, explained "Towards the end of 2012 we approached Wilmslow High School and the Wilmslow LAP Manager to gain support for approaching all of the five councils within the SK9 area to create a fund similar the Youth Opportunities Fund. This would mean that young people would be involved with the decision making processes of some of their budgets.
"Wilmslow Town Council has ringed fenced £25,000 of the 2013/14 precept budget, and Handforth Parish Council has allocated £10,000. The Chorley, Styal and Alderley Edge precepts budget are small; however they are supportive to the theory."
The panel, who will be responsible for reviewing grant applications from youth groups and directing funding to youth projects, consists of 13 to 19-year-olds from Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge.
Joe McBride explained "We've got involved in the project because we want to improve the lives of young people aged 13 to 19 within Wilmslow, Handforth, Chorley, Alderley Edge and Styal."
Eleana Howard commented "We are hoping to change things for young people in our community. We want to enable young people from all backgrounds to develop new skills and to take part in life changing activities."
Mia Howard added "We want to continue to develop our own skills and we are really looking forward to the first applications coming in."
At the meeting SK9 also revealed their new logo which features symbols to represent each parish which is associated with the SK9 fund.
They explained "The W is for Wilmslow, which is the logo of the Wilmslow Business Group, the pointed star for Handforth, the Water Wheel for Styal, representing the history behind Quarry Bank Mill, the wizard's hat for Alderley Edge and The Row of trees for Chorley".
Cllrs Ruth McNulty and Hilary Shepherd commented as to how pleased and proud they were that the SK9 initiative has attracted a group of young people who are so obviously keen, committed and enthusiastic. It is rewarding to see such good results from months of hard work by the group and also Maxine Smith, Mike Marshall and Bella Jones, who have put a lot of effort in to bringing this all together.
"We are now looking forward to the next stage of this project – the development of new and exciting ideas which will both expand and improve on the range of leisure activities available in SK9."
The young people involved with the SK9 group will receive accreditation for their contributions via the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
They are looking for ideas and projects that will help to improve the lives of young people within the SK9 area. If you have an idea you would like to discuss or require further information the SK9 Youth Group can be contacted at [email protected].
Photo: Cllr Martin Watkins with the SK9 Youth Group.
