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Mentor
UK Young People’s Reference Group
On the 30th May 06 till 1st July 06, five young
people were invited to attend a residential in Essex to
join a group of other young people from around England
and Wales to form the Young People Reference group to
influence the planning and development of polices
relating to the issues that are important to them. The
information they gave us will be used by Mentor UK to
help make decisions about the work they will do and will
also be given to the people that make decisions about
how young people should be treated in relation to drugs,
alcohol and other issues that are important to them.
This is a great opportunity for the young people to
influence the government and other organisations who
work with young people do. The young people will also
get the opportunity to meet and work with other young
people from around England and Wales. As well as this,
they will receive training at the meetings, so that by
the end of the year, they will have learnt a variety of
skills which will enable them to express themselves
about the issues that affect them. The young people who
are involved in this project will have the opportunity
to work towards the UK Youth, Youth Achievement Awards,
as a way of accrediting their involvement. This is a
great opportunity which enables the young people to
build a portfolio of evidence of the challenges that
they set themselves whilst on the residential.
Whilst on the residential, the ‘Times’ produced an
article called ‘Random Drug testing in School.’ The
young people debated what the effects and consequences
of these test going ahead were. They then wrote a letter
to the Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson Secretary of State for
Education and Skills at the Department for Education and
Skills, stating their concerns which could arise from
this issue. They are currently awaiting a reply.
If you are interested in being part of this or other
groups run by Drug Sense please contact Mandy Boatswain-Tomkin/Cheryl
Laird - 01484 353353.
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