Nominating organisation: Luton and Bedfordshire Youth Association

Why I wanted to be a rep on the Assembly committee: As well as managing our voluntary organisation, I am a front line worker with young people. Developing projects for young people in Luton. I believe in young people having a voice and are a major part of the community. By being a rep on the Assembly Committee I believe I can bring their voice to the table and actively support their needs. As an organisation we work with young people from 5 –25 years old. This gives us a wide age group to work with and draw ideas and influence from. Bring ideas back to the community plan and looking at development of services for young people.

Theme Group allocation and how this ties in with your personal skills and experience: I am now on the Creative and Dynamic Town Theme Group. This group supports the other theme groups in looking at ideas and projects in a creative way. Through my drama and arts background and through the work I do with young people and how they see things I believe I am well suited to support this group. The group is focused and wants to “get out and do things”. Young people are the instruments of change they are the ones who push boundaries and question the status quo. Through my involvement with this theme group I can bring through thoughts and ideas and help develop new initiatives to enhance the lives of people in Luton. Thinking outside the box not being frightened of trying out new ideas and looking at things in a different way to support our fragmented community. We need to look at the Community as a whole not as different parts. The elderly within the community, if you are a good young person you can be part of the community., are all statements which divide the community in my opinion. We need to help the community to help its self and become vibrant and sustainable.

How do you see yourself influencing decisions within the Forum as a representative on behalf of communities: As the Luton Assembly Committee represents a third of the total Forum I believe we have a great influence in the decision making of the Forum. We bring the voice of the people with us and should be working for the whole community and its many facets. Working together with the other agencies and officers around the table to keep developing Luton and making a place people are happy to live in. Being positive about Luton and the people who live here.