What equipment do young people want in their youth clubs? Young People Nowasked 60 of them and these were the top answers they gave.

Were you aware that there is a young person’s version of Hampshire’s Children and Young People’s Plan. You can have a look at it on the web

Would you like to have some copies of this to distribute to the young people you come into contact with?

If you would like a supply of this informative booklet let me know how many and where they should be delivered.

Your help is needed.

Consistently "lack of transport" is cited as a major issue for young people. Community Action Hampshire are currently running a project to examine the barriers to services for children and young people causes by lack of transport.

A consultant has been appointed and he would like to talk to groups of young people about this issue. The County Council have "bought into" the project.

Can you help? Can he come to one of your regular meetings and run a focus group?

Please contact Jo Dixon at Community Action Hampshire 01962 857354.

At Wells Place Centre, Eastleigh

Save the Children and British Gas have announced the next funding round of the here to HELP Awards - up to £1,000 for projects by young people that help make their communities healthier, more engaging, safer places to be. The next deadline for completed applications is FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2007 - with funded projects expected to take place between June and September 2007.

Their website has full details of the here to HELP Awards - and there is an online application process, or the option to download a hard-copy of the application form.

An evaluation of the second phase of the Neighbourhood Support Fund projects (which sought to re-engage disaffected young people aged 13-19) managed by the Community Development Foundation has confirmed  the importance of community approaches to engaging young people.  Two publications are available: re-engaging young people - the final evaluation report, and 'our kids, our communities' - a practical guide based on case studies. 

The government has hinted at a new round of sanctions and perks for services and practitioners working with children, based on their readiness to intervene earlier and to work with the most challenging families.

Responding to evidence from voluntary and statutory agencies to a policy review of children and young people, the Treasury has promised to consider what can be done to "incentivise" providers to use their resources to help children and parents at the earliest possible opportunity and to "incentivise" workers to engage with families who are difficult to work with.

Comprehensive database of UK legislation - An official, authoritative online database of UK legislation goes live. [Voluntary Sector news]

Local Authorities now required to provide positive activities for young people under Section 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

From 8 January 2007 local authorities are required to provide positive activities for young people.  The statutory guidance published today requires local authorities to.

Secure access for young people to 'positive activities'

The national standards for positive activities outlined in the guidance includes:

• Access to two hours per week of sporting activity
• Access to two hours per week of other constructive activities in clubs, youth groups and classes which contribute to their personal and social and spiritual development
• Opportunities to make a positive contribution to their community
• Recreational, cultural and sporting experiences
• A range of safe and enjoyable places in which to spend time.

Take account of young people's views on activities and facilities available to them

Section 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 introduces important new duties on local authorities regarding positive leisure time activities for young people; including the duty to secure access for young people to sufficient positive activities.

Statutory guidance covering these duties has been produced and the Department for Education and Science would welcome your views on this guidance,

see the document here