YPACT launched at Grange School

One of the initiatives which has come from our Purewell and Stanpit PACT panel is YPACT (youth PACT) launched last week at Grange School. In simple terms it is PACT (partners and communities together) as we know it but run by the students themselves. They will go through the process of finding a Chairperson, electing a PACT panel and start to find solutions to problems and issues that they might find unacceptable. It will be similar with the PACT process executed in the community at large and enable students to see how they can engage with their own problems and come up with solutions. These issues will be self generated and it is hoped be inclusive of community problems as well as those within the confines of the school.I for one am very excited about the students self determining where energy should be applied to resolve community issues which effect their wellbeing and want to see them embrace the possibilities which this will give to them in respect of minor and major problems. The ongoing benefit to the community at large will result in their understanding at an early stage of their responsibilities and if they can be successful help to improve the attitude of residents to children as a source of concern which comes over in the surveys published recently.Barry Sherwin is the energy behind this initiative and he wants to see joined up thinking with his PACT panel and an acceptance that these students do have a significant part to play in developing a better sense of contribution from our community. Geary Precision Engineering Ltd is sponsoring the schemes start up with a cheque for £50 which I presented last week and our thanks go to Cllr Nick Geary also to Barry who will with his SNT oversee the start up.This goes a long way in my objective of developing new and revisiting old partnerships within our community to encourage inclusivity and contribution with the long term aim of redressing the 'nanny state' concept that has resulted in residents regarding all problems and issues as someone elses responsibility. Well done to Barry and his team.