OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: YOUTH SERVICES 24/25

Youth Services Proposed Programme 2024/25

1.Young Achievers:
These awards go to our primary and special need schools in our area and gives them the opportunity to recognise the achievement of a pupil who has excelled against all odds and made a distinct effort to further his or her own ambitions and contributed to school life.  Preparations are well under way for the awards to be presented at the end of the current school year.

2. John Vardy Memorial Awards
The award is presented in recognition of the all-round contribution to the life of the school by students, who will be advancing to higher education or University. These awards are given to pupils from Golborne High School, and Hope Academy in honour of our founder President John Vardy OBE. The presentation of the awards gives the student the opportunity to visit the club, usually in September and present to us their ambitions and goals for the future.

3 Young Chef Competition.
This competition encourages a healthy lifestyle, an understanding about natural ingredients and recipes. It also challenges students to follow recipes and keep precise budgets. All of which are important life skills. Unfortunately, as the previous teacher left Hope Academy there was no local competition in 2023/24. It is hoped that a suitable teacher will be starting at Hope Academy in September. As a further concern, there were only six students in this year’s District final.
4 Youth Speaks
This competition involves a team of 3 pupils entering a structured argument on topical subjects. Golborne High School has confirmed that it will host the local heat on 6th February, and Hope Academy will host the District Final on 12^th March 2025.

 5 Young Photographer Competition

As no entries were received in 2034/24, we need to promote this competition. The Club has donated a trophy for the winners of both the intermediate and senior competitions. At Hope Academy, photography is included in the curriculum, and we have previously had a winner from Ascent College. 

6.Excitement of Science
An excellent opportunity for young scientists from secondary schools to experience a lecture at a university and at the same time learn more about a subject they are interested in.
The event helps to promote science as a vocation at a time when young scientists are in demand. It encourages them to study the subject with a view to attending university to further their education. It is a one-off opportunity which can make a lasting impression on a young person’s life. In 2023 the lecture was cancelled because of industrial action by the university lecturers, and in 2024 the organiser was unable to arrange the event. It is hoped that District will be able to restore this outing.

7 Art Competition
Devised to encourage and support pupils at infant level. This project assists their development and aids their integration into school life. It allows them to show their abilities using colours in art. The designs are thought provoking to encourage further integration into being good citizens. This year’s competition is well under way. It is important that we continue with this project, as it is the only involvement, we have at this age group.

8 Rotary Young Citizens

We propose to encourage entries during this Rotary Year and hopefully we can produce another winner.

9 Interact.

Both staff at Byrchall High and Golborne High are enthusiastic about forming Interact Clubs at their schools. It is hope that an interest meeting will be held at Byrchall before the end of the current term. At Golborne, plans are underway to hold an informal meeting in September, to test the support for an Interact Club.

10 Hope Academy

Following Marie Adam’s, the Principal at Hope Academy, we were advised that there is a food bank and a clothes’ bank at the school. These problems are not going to disappear, and the team would like to consider a 3-year plan to support the school in these projects. We would need to know that if the Club made financial donations, how the money, which the school saved, would be redistributed.

 
Summary 
The 2024-2025 programme covers a broad spectrum of ages, between 5-18 years, from our local schools and organisations. Our aims are to be inclusive for all young people of all back grounds and abilities.
Working with young people is a truly way to promote the work of Rotary in our community. It fosters relationships with young people, educational institutions, their parents, and carers. Ultimately, it gives young people experiences, challenges, and recognition that they would not otherwise have had.

Les Clancy

June 2024