Hardwicke Youth Forum
Younity Community
This Local Youth Forum Group currently meets on average every 2 weeks, as follows:
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Hardwicke Village Hall
Contact: steve.miles@stroud.gov.uk / 07896 690140
The following young people are SDYC representatives for Hardwicke Youth Forum:
Roles are currently vacant
Who We Are
The foundations for Hardwicke Youth Forum emerged during 2016, with Stroud District Council’s youth work team working with Severn Vale School, Quedgeley.
The work to connect with young people from Hardwicke and surrounding areas began in the respective secondary school – this resulted in the initial meetings taking place in school, as an ‘after school’ type club with students in Year 7.
Beginning as a consultation group, following research by the youth work team at Stroud District Council. Youth workers felt that there was very little in the way of youth provision including things to do and places to go, for those aged between 13 and 18 in the area – however, the emphasis was on what young people would say about this?
The consultation process was gradual, but those initially involved felt the large growing youth population needed a youth voice group in which to help shape development of local services for young people. Many of those young people involved in the initial meetings at school, agreed to form Hardwicke Youth Forum. They became active and known through their own research, which took them across the district to seek what other communities had in place for young people.
Like the other local youth forum groups in the Stroud district, we enable young people from the aforementioned local community and surrounding areas, to come together and have a say on issues of concern to all young people between 11 and 18 years. We work on influencing changes and supporting local projects to benefit young people – we believe in unity amongst young people and adults in which to create positive change.
As with the other local youth forum groups in the Stroud district regarding their communities, we are constantly looking for the views and opinions of all young people that either live in or visit the Hardwicke community and surrounding areas that we represent.
We are a friendly group, that meet on average every two weeks – if you would like to join us, we would love to have you on board…please get in touch.
We are supported by the youth work team at Stroud District Council.
Our Projects
Much of our work over the last few years has focused on influencing adult decision-makers, particularly on the need for a dedicated youth centre in Hardwicke. This followed with the help (again) of Severn Vale School to carry out an extensive youth consultation. Results highlighted a broad range of matters of concern that needed tackling – the main one was the lack of a place and space for young people to call their own! Find the consultation report here.
Our relationship with Hardwicke Parish Council has fluctuated over the years, but promises to meet the aforementioned need, with the support of others.
We have also carried out environmental type projects, in particular that of identifying old footpaths in the area that would be of benefit to people of all ages in the community.
We are now planning our programme of action for the year ahead, which will include the pursuit of a dedicated youth centre for Hardwicke. Why not come and join us!?
If you don’t want to join but you’ve got something you’d like the group to discuss or work towards you can let us know here.
All our Local Youth Forum Groups offer you the opportunity to become a Youth Voice Representative on the Stroud District Youth Council, you can find out more here.