Young People invited to sign up for Lisburn Castlereagh Youth Council

October 4, 2017

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce that it is now recruiting 24 young people for their first ever Youth Council.

Lisburn Castlereagh Youth Council (LCYC) will open for applications on the 2nd October 2017 to young people aged 16 – 21 from across the Council area.

Managed by LCCC in partnership with the Education Authority Youth Service, Police Service Northern Ireland, Lisburn and Castlereagh Community Planning Partnership and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (Community Development, PCSP, PEACE IV and Good Relations), the Youth Council will provide young people with the opportunity to become involved and pro-actively engaged with the local decision making process.

LCYC will enable young people to engage with key decision makers, have their say on local issues, meet new friends and be a representative voice for young people in their area.  

Youth Council Members will be involved in influencing a range of council events and programmes and will have the opportunity to undertake accredited training to grow and develop their skills and boost their confidence in representing young people’s views and opinions.

Chairman of the Strategic Community Planning Partnership, Alderman William Leathem, said: “The Council is delighted to drive forward the development of a Youth Council and recognises its importance in giving young people a voice in the delivery of council services.

“As a Council, through our Community Plan, we are committed to ensuring that young people in Lisburn & Castlereagh are given a strong voice to lobby and influence decisions made at a local level.

“I would encourage young people aged 16-21 from all backgrounds and abilities to apply. I look forward to seeing the Youth Council making a positive change for young people from Lisburn & Castlereagh.”

Young people are invited to attend drop-in information sessions to find out more about how to get involved with LCYC which will be held on 11 October in Dundonald Ice Bowl from 19:00 – 21:00 and 12 October in Lisburn LeisurePlex from 19:00 – 21:00.

Once established, LCYC will meet on a regular basis to identify and resolve common issues relating to young people in the local area.

Everyone is welcome to apply regardless of background, abilities or interests. The panel will consider the geographical spread and underrepresented groups to ensure the diverse needs of young people in the area are heard. 

For more information and the application form visit: https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/youthcouncil

The deadline for applications has been extended and is now open until 9 November 2017.