Young people from across the Malvern Hills District are being encouraged to apply to be the council's Youth Chairperson and Youth Advisors.
Malvern Hills District Council is searching for 11- to 17-year-olds who live or study in the district and are interested in improving and supporting the community.
The Youth Chairperson and Advisors will hold the position for one year, they will get involved with local decision making, campaigns, and receive a budget to support local youth projects.
As well as this, they will consult the district's young people on key priorities and represent them at meetings with local councillors and decision makers.
Since its formation in 2020, the Malvern Hills District Youth Forum has been involved in a number of consultations and attended Council to tell local councillors about their priorities.
They also included questions within the council's Bigger Picture Survey that was completed by over 1,000 local young people, as well as contributing over £2,000 of funding to local projects that were developed by young people.
The Youth Chair fund is for project ideas from young people, which is then pitched to fellow young people.
In the last two years, the fund has supported seven youth-led projects including:
- Students at Hanley Castle High School's Chess Club received £365 to expand the club (with over 40 members), purchase new boards and clocks and host a tournament
- Young people at Ludwig Theatre group received £500 to hold a Broadway junior musical in Tenbury
- Upton Young Farmers were given £250 to help run a new members induction day
- Students at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy received £500 towards the purchasing and furnishing of its Time-To-Talk cabin, providing a safe space for students to talk about their wellbeing without fear of judgement
- Young people at Malvern Cube youth projects received £400 to hold a big birthday bash for all young people at the centre who had missed out on celebrating their birthdays during the pandemic. The bash included colourful mocktails, glow in the dark decorations, entertainment, food and a big birthday cake
Cllr Tom Wells, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "This is a great opportunity for young people to be a part of the change they want to create. They will also develop a number of key life skills including working in a diverse team, written and presentation skills, managing a budget and more. Not only will it give them a real insight into how local government decisions are made but it will also provide them with new skills which will look great on their CV".
Matthew Knight, former Youth Chairperson at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "I would absolutely encourage people to get involved. I think that young people shaping their own futures is really important. It was a great opportunity for me, and it will be a great opportunity for whoever comes next."
The average time commitment for the role is approximately two hours per month and a team day twice a year. Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/youth to apply, closing date for applications is Friday 16 September 2022.
