Youth Services Committee

Youth Committee

The Youth Committee has strong contacts with schools in Harrogate, and in particular the seven secondary schools where we offer many opportunities, as listed below.

Young Citizen Award: Each secondary school can nominate two students for being "a good citizen", either within their own school or in the wider community.  Each nominated student receives a book token, as well as possibly being forwarded to the National Finals.

Our Winner this year is: Andrew Huband, aged 11, who went through to the national finals of the Young Citizen award.

Young Chef: We are running this competition for the second time this year, with each school entering two students from Year 9 or 10. The standard is very high....we certainly enjoyed tasting the meals produced!

Our Winner this year is: Eleanor Dent, who attends Harrogate Grammar School. She won top prize at the Rotary Club of Harrogate's annual young chef competition. 

Young Artist: Just as with the Young Chef competition, we organised this for the first time this year.  The national theme was "Wonderful Water".  All secondary schools were invited to take part with primary schools being invited to take part via social media.  We received over 200 entries, and Mervyn Darby secured sponsorship to the tune of £450 from Phil White, a local art collector who, along with Richard McTague, an art dealer, and Sarah Garforth, a local artist, judged the competition. The winning student in each category received £50, with their schools receiving £100. The award ceremony was held in the Mercer Gallery.  Our winning entries were forwarded to District level, where we achieved both Junior and Senior district winners, both of whom were forwarded to the National finals.  Phil White has already agreed to sponsor next year's competition.

Our Winner this year is: Breanne Loken, who won the award with her stunning painting titled 'Kingfisher'

Schools Consent Workshops: This was the charity chosen by Past-President Mervyn Darby in his year as President.  28 workshops have been held to date in secondary schools all paid for by the Harrogate Rotary Club.  Schools are already booking workshops for the next academic year. 

The Schools Consent Workshops are led by lawyers who look at the topic of consent and various sexual offences, including the taking and sending of photographs and messages, all issues facing young people today.

Other School links: We have led assemblies in schools, attended school council meetings and responded to requests for Easter Eggs and Christmas food for vulnerable families in Harrogate.

We also respond to requests from young people for assistance with financing gap year opportunities or sporting activities.