Hi, this is Kim and Ant, co-chairs of Hastings Young Persons’ Council (HYPC). Some of you may have already heard of us, but for those who haven’t, we would like to introduce you to the HYPC, and tell you what we are doing for YOU!
The HYPC was set up in November 1998, as a way for young people in the town to have their voices heard on issues that concern them. We are made up of 32 elected young people between the ages of 13 and 25. We meet twice a week and once every two months in the Town Hall for a full, open meeting. We also meet with representatives from the Council and any other invited guests at the youth forum. Within the HYPC, several sub-groups have been set up to discuss particular issues, namely transport, ecology and regeneration, social issues, sports, leisure and arts and media and publicity.
The transport, ecology and regeneration group met up with regeneration company Sea Space, and put forward some ideas for the renovation of the Priory Quarter. Proposals included ‘A World in a Street’, featuring restaurants offering dishes from across the globe, and the transformation of the former Observer building into a young people’s venue for discos and other social events. This group is also keen to work with Stagecoach and improve access to transport.
Our social issues group has been discussing availability of information on sexual health, with a review and grading of places where this kind of information is available. Members of the group have also been to anti-bullying meetings with John Kahn, strategic lead officer for anti-bullying for East Sussex County Council, and the group is working with the Council to set up a website on homelessness.
As for the sports, leisure and arts group, members have been concentrating on finding open spaces, which lack sport and skate facilities for local young people. Working with the Council, the group will be looking at key planned developments and helping with the consultation process.
Yet another group of members attended a mass lobby of Parliament on the subject of a smacking ban as part of the Children’s Bill, where they discussed the issues and exchanged opinions for and against the bill amendment with Michael Foster, MP for Hastings and Rye.
As you know, big changes are beginning to happen in Hastings, and this is the time for you to have your say and get involved; after all in ten or 20 years time, we’ll reach the same age as the politicians already deciding our town’s future. We will be those most affected by these changes; so if you have any ideas/comments/suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us at hypc-info@hastings.gov.uk
Back to top of page...
< Keep on Running | Tressell Training >
This page last updated: 01/04/2005