New Milton's first youth services summit hailed 'great success'

THE first youth services conference organised by New Milton Town Council has been hailed a great success.

Held in the seminar room at the A&T’s new offices, the theme for the day was ‘Working together towards positive outcomes for young people and their families.’

One of the key note speakers was Insp. Scott Beney from the New Forest Neighbourhood Policing Team.

He said: “It is hoped that the conference will be the start of working more closely together in partnership to help identify those children experiencing challenges, so we can signpost and support them through pathways to build their resilience and reduce the likelihood of them going down the wrong path.”

There were also presentations from PC Matt Budd on cyber bullying, Charlie Taylor from ASBOC Youth and Community Trust, Lesley Anthony and Katrina Young from Solent Minds, as well as information from Catch22.

Youth co-ordinator Silma Ramsaywack gave an update of young people’s services nationally and locally, including plans for the proposed new youth centre close to the town centre.

Several meetings for young people in New Milton so they can contribute their ideas for the design of the building.

Spudworks based in Sway will help put their ideas into shape, prior to them being passed to architects for formal plans to be drawn up.

Silma said: “The conference was a great success. The fact that so many professionals dealing with young people in New Milton were prepared to take time out to come together, network and share concerns was testament to how much people care about the youth in New Milton.

“There have been even larger conferences, in Brockenhurst, covering similar subject areas, but this one was specifically aimed at very local issues and everyone agreed we need to meet more frequently.”

All who attended were invited to the next Play and Youth forum on 2nd April at the same location.

It was also suggested that smaller groups could be organised, to help share good practice and support one another with some of the challenges of helping young people and their families with limited resources to do so.