April 2010 - The Boys' Brigade

The British Youth Council
(BYC) has recently launched its
General election Manifesto. ‘Our
Parliament, Our Vision’ details five key
changes that young people across
the UK are challenging politicians
to make to improve their lives.
These were created following 600
online submissions by young people,
which were shortlisted by 250 young
representatives from around the UK
and voted at the BYC Annual Council
Meeting last year.
The General Election Manifesto five
priority actions are:
• Lower the voting age to 16
• Support a national youth transport
card that offers young people a third
off public transport fares
• Create an equal national minimum
wage for everyone over 16
• End child poverty in the UK by 2020
• Invest in comprehensive mental health
services for young people
You can find out more about BYC’s
general election manifesto at
www.byc.org.uk/gec. Why not take
a look and debate some of the issues
with your young people?
Boys’ Brigade does not currently
take up all of its places at the annual
conference. If young people are
interested in representing BB, then
please contact the Brigade Secretary.
In addition BYC is running a series of
summer conventions:
Antrim 1st July
London 3rd August
Cardiff 5th August
Glasgow 10th August
York 12th August
BYC Summer Conventions are planned
to include a choice of workshops,
a chance to share ideas with other
young people and youth workers, a
topical panel debate and lots of fun.
There are no limits on the numbers of
young people who can attend and if
booked before 31st May the cost is
£25. For further information go to
www.tinyurl.com/BYCconventions
One of the young people making a real contribution to BYC is Joshua Snape.
Josh is a Staff Sergeant in 1st Haverhill Company and is the youngest ever
Trustee of the British Youth Council. He was also the winner of the Make a
Difference Award in the England Region in 2009. We asked Josh to tell us a
little about BYC and his role.
As a trustee of the British Youth Council one of the first things people often ask is:
What is the British Youth Council and what do you do?
The British Youth Council is an organisation for young people led by young people
aged 25 and under across the UK.
What does this actually mean?
BYC is made up of large and small youth organisations across the UK; Boys’
Brigade is one of the larger members, as well as St. John Ambulance and the
Scouts, and among others.
BYC works with young people to seek out the issues that affect them and campaign
for change. We can then represent the views of young people to the government,
decision-makers and the media.
BYC is unique in the way it is governed by young people. The board of trustees
who make the management decisions of the charity (similar to the Brigade Executive)
must be between the age of 16-25. We as trustees make all the important decisions
that affect the charity, and are legally responsible for its affairs and as young
people we are able to directly connect and understand the many challenges faced
by British youth.
Young people are at the forefront of our campaigns. We launched our General
Election Manifesto on the 15th February. There are five campaigns that we want
politicians across the political spectrum to sign up to and as a rallying call for young
people to fight for change.
What can the British Youth Council do for The Boys’ Brigade today?
We are enthusiastic about encouraging greater participation for young people in
all areas of their lives. The BB is entitled to seven delegates at our annual meeting
where they can elect trustees and decide on campaigns and policy. The delegation
is also able to meet other delegations from other large youth organisations at our
national members’ meetings where youth organisations can work together towards
shared goals for young people.
In your company
Do you have young people who would like to have a voice within BB to tell us
what affects them the most?
You can use the BYC General Election manifesto to debate what matters to young
people today.
Use this resource as part of company senior programme – community or use as
part of your Queen’s Badge work
What issues affect young people in the BB today?
Tell us: Get your young people to visit the BB @ BYC Facebook group
Find out more about BYC at www.byc.org.uk
54 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette April 2010