This month, Graham Biss attended Isle of Wight Youth Council monthly meeting.

He introduced the members to his role as Isle of Wight High Sheriff. 

The High Sheriff’s term is one year. It is a high honour as he represents the monarch at a local level.

Historically, the High Sheriff was the main tax collector. However, they no longer undertake this, and, instead, are interested in civil law and order.

Mr Biss informed us that he works alongside the courts and fire departments.

He also shared his main theme for his term: improving the Island’s voluntary sector.

The High Sheriff was keen to promote existing youth provisions, and even unite them; ensure that the Island is prepared to receive funding for youth opportunities; change the way media represents young people as ‘anti-social’, and encourage more young people to participate in activities after Covid-19 halted many opportunities. 

He engaged members by asking them: “What can the High Sheriff do to help create a different environment where young people could/would volunteer?” 

He also asked: “What needs to happen to make voluntary groups more attractive to young people?”  

Discussion ensued, and many interesting ideas emerged.

It was suggested that schools promote youth provisions, so young people could volunteer alongside their peers.

The members agreed that more groups should not exclude young people, and voluntary requirements and opportunities should be promoted more.

This could be done through social media and talks at schools. 

Overall, the youth council were pleased to hear about his initiatives.

We acknowledge that we always need more opportunities for young people. 

This meeting was a productive one. Committee leads have started meeting with their teams with the education and learning group deciding on their three priorities: More drama opportunities, anti-bullying, and action against youth vaping.

I look forward to seeing how they achieve these, and cannot wait to see what other committees would like to focus on. 

Lastly, I reintroduced an initiative the youth council used to do: Youth Council On The Road (YCOTR). 

YCOTR is a mock youth council meeting, usually held at schools.

It aims to introduce the youth council to more young people and hear their views on community issues.

It would make the youth council accessible for more young people, and give them an understanding of how local democracy works. 

The week after our usual meeting, we met to plan this event. We’re hoping that teachers will be open to having us present at their schools.

As per usual, I am immensely proud of our members’ contributions and optimism! 

If you are interested in joining the youth council, have any issues you would like us to discuss, or you are an organisation that wishes to visit us, please feel free to email me at lianne.p.iwyc@gmail.com