In order to make sure the views of young people are listened to and acted upon, the Gosport Youth Council (GYC) decided they needed a representative – a local Councillor to act as their Champion.
So, letters were sent out to all Gosport Councillors asking for anyone interested in taking on the role of spokesperson and Champion for the GYC, to contact them. Five brave councillors took up the challenge, agreeing to meet with representatives for interviews as part of a selection process to identify the best person for the job.
It was good to see that councillors were interested in helping to get young peoples voices heard and, to ensure all were treated equally and fairly at the interviews, GYC put together a series of questions as well as a framework for scoring answers. After long discussions Councillor Mark Hook was selected and asked to become the Youth Champion for Gosport with Councillor Stephen Philpott elected his deputy.
Councillor Hook said “I would like to thank the GYC for giving me this great opportunity. I’m delighted to have been chosen by the young people of the Borough and will do my very best to represent their views on every occasion, not just within the Council but throughout the Borough. Our young people have a wealth of ideas and opinions and it is about time they were listened to and taken into account. I would certainly welcome any views they may have and, anyone who has an idea or a comment they would like put forward, can contact me on
mark.hook@gosport.gov.uk Alternatively they can ring Youth Link Officer, Caryn Vaux on
Tel: (023) 9254 5252.”
Public Relations Officer for the Gosport Youth Council, and member of the interview panel, Chloe said, “The interviews went really well but it was quite difficult for us as this was the first time we had ever had to formally interview anyone – although it was really funny to watch the Councillors as they tried to answer our questions! I’m really pleased Cllr Hook has agreed to take on the role”.
Young people interested in joining the GYC can contact GYC direct by leaving a message on their website message board at
www.gyconline.org
Alternatively if you would like more information then contact Maggie Morgan or Chris Rogers at Brune Park’s Youth Centre Tel: (023) 9258 4001 or Caryn Vaux on Tel: (023) 9254 5252.
