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Pupils at Haverstock School with book of grievances forms
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Youth’s voice reaches to top
Politicians back Book of Grievances as pressure grows for return of apprenticeships
THE Book of Grievances – a book made up of the thoughts of young people – may not only end up in the hands of politicians at the Town Hall. It could find itself going all the way to central government.
Following last week’s calls in the New Journal from young people demanding training, Camden’s councillors have promised to take youth issues up with Whitehall.
When councillors gathered at the Town Hall on Monday for a full council meeting, many took the opportunity to voice support for the Book.
Conservative councillor Andrew Mennear, in charge of schools on the Town Hall cabinet, said this week: “The Book of Grievances is a great idea. I am in favour of hearing more from everyone.
“I know young people often think no one listens to them while we don’t always know what is the best way to get in touch with people.”
Last week, teenagers told the New Journal that a major hurdle after leaving school is completing vocational courses.
Would-be mechanic Jakir Hussain called for a return to traditional apprenticeship-style training, where trainees spend several days a week with an employer and one or two days a week at college. Mr Hussain, 20, had to drop out of his course after he was hit with unexpected fees in his third year.
Cllr Mennear said: “If young people are saying the biggest issue is they embark on a three-year vocational qualification and they’re caught out having to pay for it halfway through, then of course we would raise that with the government.”
His colleague, executive member for children Lib Dem councillor John Bryant, said bringing back apprenticeships was unlikely but a new form of school curriculum, targeting students aged 14 to 19, could be the answer. Expected to be introduced in about three years, it would provide a more practical education.
He also championed the launch of a youth council, which will give young people, elected by their peers, the chance to have a say in Town Hall policy-making.
Finance chiefs have agreed an initial £50,000 budget for the youth council, while a further £70,000 is earmarked.
Cllr Bryant said: “This is only the start of a very exciting process. I look forward to seeing the youth council established and watching it go from strength to strength.”
Meanwhile, at Eleanor Palmer primary school in Tufnell Park on Monday, House of Lords Speaker Baroness Hayman of Dartmouth Park said of the Book of Grievances: “I’d support anything that makes children more aware of the responsibility of decision-taking and how to influence those decisions. That’s part of living in a democracy.”
And at Haverstock School in Chalk Farm, teenagers got to grips with the Book of Grievances questionnaire, which asks: what is wrong with growing up in Camden and how can it be improved?
Vivian Barr, manager of youth project PACE, which is aimed at underachieving children and operates in more than 10 schools in the borough, explained how it was helping students. She said: “We’re trying to improve the offer of work experience to angle it more towards the benefit of the young person. There is a big review of the education business partnerships.”
Youngsters from the Castle Road estate in Camden Town sent in suggestions this week. Maureen Sexton said youngsters needed more youth clubs, greater positive interaction with police and the fire brigade, more apprenticeships and greater understanding from others. Young people are unfairly classed as “bad hoodies” just for hanging out on the street, she added.
Luke Williams, 18, from Camden Road, thinks more police are needed. “People should feel safe walking the streets,” he said, adding his voice to the call for more youth centres.
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