Hiking to Hotpants, Tents to Twister - Celebration Release

Dorset Youth Association and Dorset County Museum

NEWS RELEASE

10 Sept 2012

HIKING TO HOTPANTS, TENTS TO TWISTER

An Exhibition of Youth clubs in Dorset

Celebration Event Friday 7 September 2012

A special event took place at 6.30pm on Friday 7 September at Dorset County Museum. Over 120 guests attended the exhibition “Hiking to Hot pants, Tents to Twister” which explores the history of youth clubs in the Dorset Youth Association Network over seven decades and is open to the public until 20 October. Guests at the event included current youth club members, veteran leaders (four of whom have received MBEs), Trustees and the Mayor of Wimborne Mr J Burden, the Mayor of Dorchester Andy Canning, the Mayor of Weymouth Margaret Leicester. Also in attendance were Senior decision-makers in Dorset, the incoming Chief Executive of Dorset County Council Debbie Ward and her two young sons and out-going Chief Executive David Jenkins and acting Director of Children services Jackie Last, the Chair of West Dorset District Council. HM's Lord Lieutenant, Mrs. Anthony Pitt Rivers, was unable to attend the event and was represented by Mrs. Lang on the night.

A core group of 12 young people with a huge range of abilities have worked over 1400 volunteer hours on the project. Supported by Dorset Youth Association (DYA) through the Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots Fund, they have used multimedia to tell the story using a visual timeline, fascinating artefacts, comic style graphics and videos. It explores the simple but important youth club story of fun and friendship, allowing young people to be in charge of their own place where they can get away from the pressures of home and school. There is a huge range of activities on display from crafting to boxing. They show examples of clubs across Dorset, some led by volunteers in villages & others led by DCC Youth workers in towns which have up to 100 young people attending 7 nights a week. “It is a world where caring leaders inspire young people to become well-rounded, confident individuals and the leaders of tomorrow. “said Jack Welch a volunteer with the group.

Jackie Last Acting Director for Children's Services Dorset County Council said “I found it extremely interesting and the young people I spoke to were clearly very proud and very informed about what they had done.”

Issy Eastwood, Volunteer Event Manger, said“It is a way to say thank you to those who have taken part and for the community to see how youth clubs can and have benefitted everyone.”

Lorna Johnson, project worker for DYA, said, “I hope we can convey how important it is to support these clubs so they can run for another seven decades. Many counties around us have withdrawn support for the vital infrastructure that is needed to run them long term.”

“The project and the exhibition have already achieved considerable local support and acclaim.”  Dave Thompson, Director of DYA said, “I am really proud of the commitment shown by the young people and support offered by staff. The group learned many new skills from older members of the community, Trustees, volunteers and staff which helped them to produce the exhibition and to celebrate a unique part of Dorset’s heritage.” The group have also been working with staff from Dorset County Museum where the exhibition is taking place.  Jon Murden, Director of the Museum said, “Projects like this are vital to actively involve young people in the life of the Museum. They can help our local community tap into vital new sources of heritage funding and can fundamentally change our perceptions. They create positive impressions about teenagers and their role in society, as well as showing that museums today are not stuffy and boring.”

Catering at the event was provided by Smart Cookies - another young group of volunteers with a range of special needs, supported by Dorset Youth Association. In addition, the event included guided tours of the exhibition, speeches from representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund, music through the ages and some youth club games for people of all ages to enjoy.

For further information about the project and event, please contact Lorna Johnson on 07788203003 or visit http://dorsetyoungremembers.blogspot.co.uk/.

The celebration event is on Friday 7September 6.30pm till 8.30 pm at Dorset County Museum.  The exhibition “From Hiking to Hot pants, Tents to Twister” runs until 20 October 2012.

ENDS 

For further media information, please contact:

Lorna Johnson

Dorset Youth Association

Tel: 01305 757027

Mob: 07788203003

Email: lornajohnson@dorsetyouth.com