U count 2. Democracy challenge Your opinions count! Have your say, influence decisions! Speak out, be heard, influence.

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1 U count 2 Democracy challenge 2008 Your opinions count! Have your say, influence decisions! Speak out, be heard, influence. Investing in young people IN Salford

2 Are you aged 11-18? Do you want to have your say and be heard? What you think and what you want matters too. We need your ideas on how to make it easy for young people across Salford to have a say. Decisions are made every day that effect you, your friends and your family make sure they re not made without you. We want to hear your ideas on how young people can get involved in influencing decisions. You can submit your entry in any way that you think gets your ideas across clearly; this can include a written report, a drawing or sketch, a short film or a cartoon. You can enter as an individual or group. Please work out how much your idea will cost. Developing new ways for young people to influence decision making will have a price. You have 2000 to spend - let the judges know how this will be used to give young people an opportunity to have their say. This may sound tough but it s not impossible, see the image on the next page designed by pupils at St Patrick s High School to launch this competition. For more information and ideas to get you started go to pages five and six. Don t worry if you don t have access to a PC, you can either go to your local library and log on for free or call us on to find out more. Check out the prizes the winner(s) will see their idea put into practice and will also be rewarded with 100 in shopping vouchers - plus a trip to London to visit the House of Commons. Speak out be heard. Closing date: Friday 14 November 2008

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4 How to submit your entry Step one Complete the official entry form and include a brief summary of your proposal. Step two Make sure you have included everything the judges would need to assess your entry (for more information on what the judges are looking for see opposite) Step three Send your entry to: U count 2! democracy challenge 2008 c/o Cath Connor, Children s Champion, Salford City Council, Minerva House, Pendlebury Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 4EQ or submit your entry by to: fiona.ward@salford.gov.uk Step four Make sure your idea reaches us before 14 November 2008 What the judges are looking for You can send your ideas to us in any way you think gets your ideas across clearly. This can include: a written report a drawing, sketch or cartoon strip a short film photographs a model or sculpture any combination of the above! In fact you can submit your ideas in any format you want, just make sure you get your idea across clearly. The judges will be looking for evidence that: you have an understanding of how decisions are made in your local area at the moment you have an understanding of what type of decisions are made by the council your idea will help young people have their say in Salford before important decisions are made you can show how your idea will work in practice and it will cost 2000 or less to put into practice. You can submit as many ideas as you like. Just make sure that you fill in an entry form for each idea you submit. For more information contact

5 Useful information to help you get started Neighbourhood Youth Forums Do you know about the youth forum in your area? The youth service are working with young people across the city to develop really strong forums which will give young people an opportunity to have your say. Maybe you are already involved, how would you like to increase the influence of your youth forum? Contact one of the youth workers below to find out about the development of your neighbourhood youth forum. Claremont and Weaste Chris Kelsall, T East Salford Chris Kelsall, T Ordsall and Langworthy Chris Kelsall, T Eccles Danny Mulvihill, T Irlam and Cadishead Lynn Brown, T Swinton Denee Cassidy, T Worsley and Boothstown Patrick Sullivan, T Find out about your local Neighbourhood Management team. There are eight Community Committees in Salford, one for each Neighbourhood Area. All local people can get involved and influence decisions about priorities for the area from providing youth activities to improving a local park or road safety. For contact details of your local neighbourhood management team contact Tricia Kirkman, T tricia.kirkman@salford.gov.uk click on the link above to find out more... What do you know about the city council? Salford Council has 60 councillors, or elected members, who represent particular areas, known as electoral wards. There are 20 wards and all have three councillors who each serve for four years. Do you know who your councillor is, what they do and the decisions they make? Find out more by clicking on the link below Children and Young People s Champion in Salford This is a job dedicated to increasing the opportunities young people have to get their voices heard and influence decisions which affect their lives. Cath Connor is the current Children and Young People s Champion for more information click on the link below. Little Hulton and Walkden Patrick Sullivan, T patrick.sullivan@salford.gov.uk

6 Other useful websites Hear By Right - a tool to increase the involvement of young people in decision making. Adopted by the council to bring about real change as a result of listening to your views and opinions. The Citizenship Foundation - has a section for young people with lots of ideas to help you get involved with things that concern you and make sure your voice is heard. page.php?40 11 Million - the website for the Children s Commissioner in England. Dedicated to giving young people a voice, an interactive web site chance to have your say on line. United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child - any doubts about your right to be heard? Check out the link below pdfs/uncrc.pdf Especially article 12: You have the right to say what you think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect you, and to have your opinions taken into account.

7 U count 2! democracy challenge 2008: Entry form Send this form together with full details of your proposal by or post to arrive before 14th November You can submit as many ideas as you like, but you must fill in a form for each idea submitted. About you Full name Date of birth Full address / phone number About your idea Your idea on how young people can have their say is (give a brief overview to support your entry words) Please submit the full proposal on separate sheets Name of person entering Date Closing date: Friday 14 November Entries should be sent to: U count 2! democracy challenge 2008,C/o Cath Connor, Children s Champion, Salford City Council, Minerva House, Pendlebury Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 4EQ or submit your entry by to: fiona.ward@salford.gov.uk