Minutes of Youth Group Meeting on Tuesday 17^th January 2006

Kingswells Community Centre Coffee Shop @ 7pm.

In attendance:

Clr Peter Stephen

Ernie Skea

Ian Cox

Barrie Buchan

Linda Press

Apologies

Linda Banks

Philip Banks

 

Minutes of last meeting were passed as a true representative of the dialogue and an update on the following was presented.

• The monies held in trust for youth opportunity is an ongoing interest.
• On 6^th Dec 2005 , The Beacon minibus picked up around 20 Kingswells youths (along with committee members and volunteers) who all attended the Beacon youth club in Bucksburn to ascertain the need and feasibility of setting up a similar operation in Kingswells. The night was a success and provided much insight and inspiration to all.
• The youth group committee went along to the townhouse to present ideas regarding the youth bus to the Youth Action Committee. Some ideas were exchanged and after some research, feedback from this group indicated that the costing of such a venture was so high that it may be an unrealistic undertaking and one which ACC may not be able to commit to. The opinion is that youth buses are probably more effective in rural areas. The youth group will continue to explore this and discuss at their next meeting.
• Youth group committee attended a KCCC meeting in December where it was confirmed that the community centre council would advertise for a helper so that the coffee shop could be opened up for a couple of hours per week on a Tuesday evening. Some details have still to be confirmed regarding Disclosure Scotland Checks. The youth group has already established that there are two volunteers willing to help out on a regular basis but more volunteers  are still required to make things viable.
• Drama is not going to be starting this month as the teacher has to temporarily rest from work and there is not another person currently available. There had not been a great uptake from the drama advertisement. Payment has not been necessary.
• Street dance class at Webster Park Community Hall was enjoyed by the few who turned up. Classes have been suspended at present due to poor attendance                    (possibly due to poor weather, the time of year and unsatisfactory day/ time slot) This block of classes has been subsidized by £45.00 by Youth Group.

 

Barrie welcomed Ernie Skea, Community Learning and Development ACC, to the meeting and explained that the group was looking for assistance and guidance in order to achieve some type of club for Kingswells teenagers to hang out in. Ernie explained the previous history of Bucksburn community centre in relation to Kingswells and the reasons as to why Kingswells was short of youth help and funding in this area. He was however optimistic that we could all work on building that up. Some recently secured funding would enable him to attach one (or possibly two) trained youth workers, once per week, for two hours (Tuesday nights were suggested by the youth group) Providing the community can supply volunteers, the attached youth workers could direct and co-ordinate the volunteers and could enable the coffee shop to be a drop in centre for youths until a more permanent and appropriate environment for them is established. The two possible venues for a permanent youth group were discussed as being Fairly Rd School and The Village Hall. These options are going to be explored.

 

Discussion on the covered area (by a canopy) at the new Nursery entrance at the rear of the school. There is every chance that this will be adopted by the youths as an unofficial Youth shelter in the evenings. It is well lit by security lighting and has CCTV coverage. No litter bins at present, but if new bins are on order by the school, we need to find out if they are suitable for cans, bottles and cigarettes etc– and if they are the right size and  enough of them. 

 

ACTIONS.

1. Communicate with Kingswells Head teacher re nursery entrance
2. Advertise for volunteers in Kingswells News. (Feb 27^th 2006 @ 8pm KCC coffee shop)
3. Ensure proper disclosure procedure for volunteers is followed and that forms are passed to Ernie
4. Explore possibilities with Fairly Rd School through ACC (Clr Stephen to address)
5. Village Hall AGM (Mon 23^rd Jan 2006 @ 7.30pm, downstairs @ Village Hall, youth group committee reps attending)
6. Liaise with Kingswells Community Centre Council regarding their input and request they alter job description for their advert  from “Volunteer Coordinator”  to “Coffee Shop Supervisor”
7. Cigarette bin @ KCC portable or otherwise

 

AOB.

 

An ad to be placed within the Kingswells News to invite a local youth to manage and maintain a Youth Page for the kingswells.com website.

 

Next youth group meeting arranged for 21^st Feb @ 7pm @ Kingswells Coffee Shop.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm.