Gateshead Beacon Open Day Tuesday 24th October 2006
On 24th October, Gateshead hosted a Beacon Open Day to our celebrate Beacon status in the theme of Positive Youth Engagement (in the community and democratic process). Over 100 people attended the event at The Sage Gateshead, which attracted delegates from right across the country.
Gateshead first Town Clerk Joseph Willis Swinburne (re-incarnated by local actor Paddy Burton) set the scene for the day. It focused on Gateshead's journey from the days when children and young people were neither seen nor heard, to a fully interactive day chaired and led by young people, demonstrating practical examples of how Gateshead has successfully involved young people in decision making and developing and delivering services. Workshops, also presented by young people covered our many structures for engaging young people, volunteering, school councils, citizenship and recruitment and selections. Maggie Atkinson, Group Director Learning and Children and Director of Children’s Services was also there to summarise Gateshead's long standing commitment to working with young people, giving examples of our many achievements.
Feedback was positive, with many complimentary comments including "Gateshead opened my eyes to the future" and "really enjoyable and varied day - lots of ideas to go away with - brilliant to see so many young people involved".
Beacon status is granted by DCLG and highlights good practice within local councils in a particular theme. The scheme is central to the Government's agenda for modernising local government. It main aim is to help local government and its partners learn from local authorities that have developed centres of excellence and quality service.
Gateshead, in partnership with Connexions, and The Children's Fund, is one of only eight in the country to receive the award in the theme of positive youth engagement and will hold the status until June 2007.