Minutes:
i) Dementia Fayre Feedback. Falak, Izzy and Erika volunteered at the Dementia Fayre in Epping on 1st October. A letter of thanks has been received from, Roy Aanstad, Essex Fire, and rescue Service
I wanted to pass my praise to the young ladies that were helping on the day, I believe they were Youth Ambassadors, or Youth Commissioners or something similar. They were very polite and professional and spent the entire time walking around engaging with people and making sure everyone had everything they needed and plenty of refreshments. In a time and age where young people sadly don’t seem to want to help in their communities, it was fantastic to see these young people being so positive and energetic. Could you please pass my compliments to the relevant person and please make sure they receive some positive feedback. We are all very quick to complain when something goes wrong, but we rarely provide positive feedback when something goes well. I look forward to attend future activities and events.
ii) Independent Advisory Group
Feedback from Matthew, Izzy & Sarah, the Youth Council representations who attended the IAG meeting on 3rd October. The group meet 4 times a year, they are currently looking for youth representatives from the Brentwood area as there are four reps. for Epping Forest. Harry from Davenant school has suggested producing a survey about safety for the schools, the IAG members supported the idea.
iii) Epping Forest District Council Police Team
Youth Cllrs would like to invite Sargent Neil Ross and his team to a Youth Council meeting in january, to learn about the work of the EFDC Police Team.
iv) Climate Action Challenge Fund for schools
The EFYC would like to thank Tom and Liam from the Essex County Council Climate Commission team who ran a workshop for them on 27 September. It was a reminder that schools can still apply for £20k each to carry out a climate project in their school. From rain pools to Bee friendly gardens, to composting and solar energy, contact Tom for further information www.bit.ly/EssexClimateActionFund Voluntary and community sector organisations, community groups, parish councils and schools in Essex can apply for up to £20,000 of funding to deliver activities that respond to key climate challenges in Essex. You can apply by completing our application form (DOCX, 238kB) and emailing it to climate.challengeprize@essex.gov.uk.
Funding is available until 31 March 2023 or until funds are fully allocated - whichever comes first.
v) Safer Epping Group
youth Councillor Falak will be attending the Safer Epping Meeting on the 7 Nov at Epping St Johns Church
vi) A formal letter of complaint was sent to Sadlers about them being late and going to the wrong addresses. All Youth Cllrs using the taxis service must be ready and waiting for their taxis. They will charge EFYC a waiting charge so please do not waste the EFYC budget.
vii) Youth Voice Conference at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford on sat 22 Oct. EFYC have been invited to have an information stall. Sarah, Erika, Martin, and Olu will be attending 10:00 – 14:00
viii) Di attended the Children’s society conference on 29 September about the Good Childhood report, it stated that children are at their unhappiest due to pressure on being perfect and looking perfect. Schools, social media, and influencers were partly blamed. Action: Please read the report. https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/professionals/resources/good-childhood-report-2021
ix) Jack Petchey nominations are due, and two winners will be announced at the November meeting.
x) Volunteers wanted for Christmas inclusion party on Monday 12 December. Wanted one Elf, face painters and glitter tattoo artists. Ahiyan, Izzy, Abi, Eylul, Oscar R. Erika, Suki, Sarah, and Scarlett volunteered to help.
xi) Christmas Tenpin bowling in Harlow was agreed for 20 December. Natalie will use her Jack Petchey grant to cover the cost, which will include pizza. Bring own money for the computer games (£1 each) and karaoke booth (£10 for 30 minutes) Times to be confirmed nearer the date.
xii) Southend Youth Council have organised a full programme during half
term, to compliment the EFYC Cost of Living Project and Climate Action project. The visit will include, planting a lavender maze as part of their Jack Petchey Environmental award. Visiting the Southend St Vincent’s Food bank, hot food and Homeless support project, a presentation will be given by the Youth Mayor and Southend council will present their Tackling poverty Strategy 2023. EFYC members will talk about their COLC project and conduct their survey with the Southend Youth Cllrs.
xiii) Remembrance Sunday services will be held in Waltham Abbey, Loughton
and Epping. 3 Wreaths will be laid by 6 Youth Council members at the 3
services. Times to be announced.
xiv) Essex Faith Covenant event 8 November. Sophia, Aliza, Paarth, Martin
and Eylul volunteered to attend the event, as numbers are limited. Aliza
and Martin have been asked to talk about their Family History project
work, it will be an informal evening at Epping Forest Museum.
xv) EFYC cup winner – 4 awards a year.
Nominations are made by the staff for outstanding contributions to the EFYC meetings, volunteering, good attendance and supporting others in a caring and supportive way.
xvi) UK Parliament Free talks, tours, and events – online. They run a
programme of talks and events throughout the year on a range of
subjects including Big Ben and about how UK Parliament works. You can
book FREE tickets online.
https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/talks-and-events
xvii) Epping Forest Youth Strategy Meeting Monday 14 November and young
commissioner training by Essex Youth Service. Paarth, Suki, and Olu to attend 17:30 The Ongar Leisure centre, Ongar. Meetings are held four times a year and up to 3 Youth Councillors are invited to represent the Youth Council and young people of the district.
xviii) IPads issues, to inform Katie immediately. Please check your TEAMS
app is working for future online meetings.