Dartford Youth Council

Full DYC Meetings:

- Friday 14th September 2016

- Friday 14th October 2016

- Friday 18th November 2016

- Friday 16th December 2016

- Friday 20th January 2017

- Friday 24th February 2017

- Friday 17th March 2017

- Friday 28th April 2017

- Friday 19th May 2017

- Friday 23rd June 2017

Dartford Youth Council are fundraising with Dartford Harriers for Sport Relief!

Sunday 20 March 2016, 10am-1pm, at Dartford Harriers Athletics Track, Central Park, Dartford

A group of lucky DYC members had the opportunity to go to The Swattenden Centre, which is a specialist residential where we got to experience fun and worthwhile challenges.

We got to the Civic Centre and travelled by coach. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly instructor called Gary. He introduced himself and took us to our accommodation to unpack our bags. Our first activity was the Bivouac building in which we had to build our own makeshift shelter in the woods, only using fallen down branches and trees. We were separated into two groups and eventually Gary would rate which shelter was the best. Unfortunately, we got a tie but we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience; it sure did make us very muddy!

The next activity we experienced was the Swattenden Triangle. As this never featured at any other residential trips, this was new to us and unique. It was a team-building activity where we had to cross various bridges with small obstacles. It wasn’t an activity that you could do all by yourself. You needed to rely on your team mates. The feedback from this activity was great and many thought it was the best one!

After the Swattenden Triangle, we did problem solving activities including tangrams and a maze. They were very challenging, but quite entertaining! The other group got to build a makeshift buggy which composed of some rope, some metal poles and some plastic barrels. It was funny to see when the buggy kept crashing! This was a nice activity and needed mental skill as well as physical skill.

Night, night! We got to feast on a delicious evening meal and then we spent time in our social room. It had a kitchenette, a television, a sofa, Connect 4 and the good, old Fussball! Many people enjoyed playing Fussball together as it gave an opportunity to compete with their fellow DYC members! As a nice evening activity, we watched Toy Story 3 (in which many people cried towards the end). We went back to our rooms and slept tight, getting ready for the next day.

We woke up to a hearty breakfast only and tackled the climbing wall next. This required a sense of trust for your teammates. This activity was great and everyone got to take part! This was an enjoyable process, some people even got to the top. Bravo!

To finish off, we went on the zip wire, bringing our Swattenden residential trip to an end. This Swattenden residential will always be a great memory for DYC!

Matthew, a member of DYC, said “It was a really fun experience and really helped to improve our teamwork and communication skills.”

Full meetings:

- Friday 18 September 2015

- Friday 16 October 2015

- Friday 13 November 2015

- Friday 11 December 2015

- Friday 22 January 2016

- Friday 26 February 2016

- Friday 18 March 2016

- Friday 22 April 2016

- Friday 20 May 2016

- Friday 17 June 2016

Dartford Youth Council (DYC) is looking for new members to help young people's voices be heard and make a difference in the Borough.

They are inviting schools and youth groups across Dartford to elect members to attend their regular meetings and get involved!

Young people elected to DYC must be aged between 12 and 18 on 1st September 2015, and live in or attend a youth group or school in Dartford.

Youth groups can each elect three members. Schools can elect up to five members – two from years 8 & 9 and three from years 10-13.

The DYC is a non-political group and focuses on issues affecting young people around the Borough – such as school transport and mental health. They hold monthly meetings which all members are expected to attend, plus days out, residential events and social activities.

This year, the DYC have raised money for Comic Relief, launched their own 'Make Dartford Happy' campaign, helped at several events including the Dartford Festival, visited the Houses of Parliament and lots more.

DYC chair Chloe-Louise Gebbett said, "We've had a great year and have already started planning our activities for 2015/16. We'd like as many young people as possible to get involved in the DYC and help us make a difference in the Borough."

To get involved, young people can speak to their existing DYC members or citizenship teacher at school or to their youth group leader. They can also email to register their interest.

To find out more about DYC and their activities follow them on Twitter @Dartford_YC or at www.facebook.com/DartfordYouthCouncil

On the 3rd August we, the Dartford Youth Council, embarked on a trip to the Houses of Parliament. We possessed a tourist like image; a big, over-excited group all wearing our DYC t-shirts ready to learn about one of the most important historical landmarks in England. Entering the building you could only but be captivated by the amazing interior, with the vast space and beautiful stained glass windows.   Our tour guide took her time to carefully explain the many elements of the building. From how the tiles were made, to details on the various paintings, it was astonishing to discover how much time and effort was taken into making the Houses of Parliament look so grand.   As we hovered over the comfy looking red and green chairs in The House of Lords and Commons, we were informed of the differences between them and taught how decisions that impact the country are made.   An amazing fact shared was that behind The Speaker’s Chair in the House of Commons, there is a sack which contains all of the petitions brought to the attention of the House and out of the many petitions, one in ten gets passed.   Amongst the numerous paintings a really interesting one was Daniel Maclise's Waterloo. Maclise's painting of The Battle of Waterloo is a great depiction of the gore and victory of one of the most famous battles in history. The tour guide explained how Maclise tended not to autograph his work instead he added little things in his paintings to indicate that they were created by him. In the painting Waterloo, Maclise paints two subjects holding glasses of water, which would have been very odd on a battleground but an amazing way to tag his work.   When the tour was over we were given the opportunity to look around some of the building once more and take in the beautiful surroundings.   After leaving the Houses of Parliament with new knowledge on British history and politics we had a relaxing lunch together in an open space near the London Eye.   All in all, our trip to The Houses of Parliament was fun and informative and I look forward to what the next Dartford Youth Council trip has in store.

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On Saturday 14th March members of Dartford Youth Council (DYC) will be celebrating Red Nose Day 2015 by making their faces funny for money and encouraging shoppers in the town to do the same!

DYC members will be taking over the Meeting Place in the Orchards Shopping Centre and inviting shoppers to join them for an afternoon of fun activities including face painting, cupcake decorating and games!

The activities will run from 12noon to 4pm on Saturday 14th March. DYC members will be making their faces funny for money by donning face paint, wild make up, colourful wigs or even a simple fake moustache drawn on in pen, all in the name of charity! Pop in and get your face painted, enjoy a scrummy cupcake or take part in the games, all to raise big bucks for a great cause.

The money the DYC raise will help people living unimaginably tough lives across the UK and Africa.

Chloe, Chair of Dartford Youth Council, says, “We’re looking forward to giving each other makeovers on the day, so we can give everyone a good laugh and raise lots of money on Red Nose Day 2015!”

For those that can’t join in the activities but would still like to donate to this worthy cause, please visit http://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/dartford-youth-council 

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Notes to Editors:

Dartford Youth Council is the voice of youth in Dartford. For more information about the group and their activities visit www.dartfordyouthcouncil.org 

Information on Red Nose Day 2015

Red Nose Day 2015 is heading your way on Friday 13th March when the great British public will be asked to Make their Face Funny for Money. By raising cash this Red Nose Day, you’re helping to change lives forever. That’s because Comic Relief spends the money raised to help change the lives of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa.

Comic Relief is a UK charity, which aims to create a just world, free from poverty. To date, Comic Relief has raised over £960million. That money has helped, and is helping, people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world.

For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit

www.comicrelief.com

Our full meeting dates for 2014/15 are:

Friday 19 September 2014

Friday 24 October 2014

Friday 14 November 2014

Friday 12 December 2014

Friday 16 January 2015

Friday 13 February 2015

Friday 20 March 2015

Friday 24 April 2015

Friday 22 May 2015

Friday 19 June 2015

Friday 17 July 2015

We'll have a stall in the Youth Village at this weekend's Dartford Festival and will be raising money for the Mayor of Dartford's charity appeal for 2014/15 as well as raising awareness of the DYC.

Information about the Try Angle Awards 2014.

2014 is the 20th anniversary of the Try Angle Awards. These awards were introduced in 1994 to raise the profile of young people in the community who really try, often with little recognition, to do their best!