In November 2017, DYC teamed up with the Dartford Branch for the British Legion to support the Poppy Appeal. Over three Saturdays we went out in the town centre to collect donations for the Poppy Appeal in the Orchards, Priory and Prospect Place Shopping Centre. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and we got to meet the fantastic members of the Dartford community which made the event such a huge success. We finished off the effort at the Dartford Remembrance Day Parade in the park in a humbling service were various youth groups along with members of the community payed their respects to the soldiers who form a fundamental part of Dartford’s history. Thank you to all of you who donated to the appeal – you make Dartford proud!
The new academic year is a time for us to celebrate our past achievements, as well as making new prospective aims for the wider borough of Dartford.
The Dartford Youth Council team of 2017.
Dartford Youth Council welcomed some new members from Dartford Grammar School and Dartford Grammar School for Girls. Dartford Youth Council Executive Team candidates each said their speech, and all DYC members had the opportunity to vote for their desired candidate.
The New Executive Committee – Credit: Joshua, Vice Chairman
We welcomed James Rolls, Thomas Gebbett and Tse Uweja into the Executive Committee for the first time, as well as some members who were re-elected including Matthew D’Costa, Joshua Grills, Ricky Taing, Omolayo Oluwadare.
Shortly after the elections, members of DYC enjoyed the Dartford Youth Council Prize-Giving Ceremony with awards and certificates presented by Councillor Ann Allen.
Five Dartford Youth Council members visited a care home in Wilmington to talk to elderly members of the community and participate in various activities.
We talked about their past and they shared their life experiences with us. It was really interesting to find out how technology has really revolutionised life! We spoke to a 95-year-old lady who enjoyed watching the television quiz shows The Chase and Eggheads and it was interesting to see how many of us had similar interests.
We also sang some traditional music (we joined in where we could!) and we also joined the beat on percussion instruments. Overall, we really enjoyed the experience and would like to visit them again sometime soon.
Members of DYC volunteered at the Dartford Festival 2017, preparing and serving fresh and healthy smoothies. We had a smoothie bike which you would pedal to blend the smoothie as part of our Healthy Living outreach. A massive thank you to everyone who helped out at the Dartford Festival!
We like to get involved with activities in Dartford and help wherever we can! In the past we have…
2020-2021
Dartford Youth Councillors Kweku and Krish newly elected as Member and Deputy Member of Youth Parliament (DMYPs) as part of the UK Youth Parliament (March 2021)
Dartford Youth Councillors Kweku and Krish were newly elected as Kent Youth County Councillors (January 2021)
Chairman Ricky was invited to lead the International Youth Mayors’ Association’s monthly meeting as rolling chairman (November 2020)
Secretary Sanya and Events Officer Funto launch this term’s fundraising project with ellenor Hospice raising over £300 (November 2020) read moredonate here
Chairman Ricky was invited to represent the Dartford Youth Council at Dartford Borough Council’s Remembrance Service (November 2020) watch here
Newly elected Chairman Ricky hosts inaugural meeting welcoming new execs Sanya and Thomas along with returning members Funto, Isobel and Zapran (October 2020) read more
Introduced a new recruitment drive inviting schools to elect new members including a revised ‘welcome’ video and letter (September 2020) watch here
2019-2020
Chairman and Vice Chairman Princess and Ricky attended the UK Young Mayors’ Group inaugural meeting (July 2020)
Vice Chairman Ricky was invited as a international delegate for the Youth Parliament of Pakistan’s International Youth Parliamentary Conference to discuss the role of young people during the pandemic (June 2020) read more
Chairman and Dartford Youth Councillor Princess and Sanya volunteered at Dartford’s Santa House as part of Dartford Borough Council’s festive events (December 2019) read more
Elected a new Executive Committee with returning execs Princess, Ricky, Danielle and Toju and new execs Zapran, Isobel and Babafunto (November 2019) read more
Collected a Spirit of Try Angle Award for Community Action (October 2019) read more
2018-2019
Secretary Ricky was invited to perform at the Chairman of Kent County Council’s Civic Ceremony at County Hall (June 2019) read more
Dartford Youth Councillors Kristi and Holly volunteered with the Bridge for Young People’s Dartford District Try Angle Awards ceremony (November 2018)
We participated in an exciting cooking course at Dartford Science & Technology College (November 2018)
Attended the annual Remembrance Service in Dartford and paraded in the town centre (November 2018)
Elected a new Executive Committee with returning execs Ricky, Tom and Omolayo and new execs Princess, David and Toju (October 2018)
2017-2018
Dartford Youth Councillors enjoyed a trip to Ypres (July 2018) read more
Supported the Dartford Poppy Appeal by collecting donations in the town center (November 2017)
Elected the new Executive Committee with returning execs Joshua, Ricky and Matthew with new execs Omolayo, James, Tsemaye and Tom (October 2017)
Visited our friends at the Gardenia House (August 2017)
2015-2017
Helped out at the Dartford Festival (July 2017)
Helped out with Salvation Army, Dartford (December 2016)
Sang carols and played Christmas music to elderly people in Gardenia House (2016)
Elected a new Executive Committee (October 2016)
Raise money for Sport Relief with Dartford Harriers by running the three legged race and face painting. (2016)
Participated in a Swattenden Residential Course with various activities like rock climbing (2016)
Launch our support network. (2016)
Complete a first aid training course. (2016)
Raised funds for Comic Relief with face-painting, biscuit-decorating and games (2015)
Launched our own ‘Make Dartford Happy’ campaign and visited older people in a residential home for tea and a chat (2015)
Helped to distribute programmes and ran a stall at the Dartford Festival (2015)
After our visit to Salvation Army, we had lunch and then went to Gardenia House, a residential home for elderly people. We performed a range of Christmas carols and some modern Christmas song arrangements. We must thank Ricky for conducting, playing the flute and ukulele for the event as well as Babafunto for his excellent guitar playing in Silent Night. Many thanks must also go to the percussionists, which gave the singers a beat and gave a wider range of timbres that made the singing exciting. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed singing at Gardenia House, and it was an inspirational experience!
The Dartford Youth Council’s Executive Committee is a group of seven young people who are elected by our members in the first Monthly Meeting each year.As the Dartford Youth Council’s lead representatives they hold specific leadership roles and lead the team in meetings and projects.
Our current 2021-22 Executive Committee consists of:
Thomas Gebbett
CHAIRMAN
Thomas has been a dedicated, long-serving member of the Youth Council since 2016 – having previously held the positions of Vice Chairman, Events Officer, and Public Relations Officer. His interests include both Geography and sport – and he particularly enjoys going to watch Arsenal matches in his free time.
Thomas is currently working towards his International Baccalaureate Diploma at Dartford Grammar School – studying English, Geography, and Philosophy at Higher Level.
In the future, Thomas aspires to study either Global Sustainable Development or Geography at the University of Warwick, Durham, or LSE. Additionally, his aim as chairman is to finish his final year on the council strong.
To invite the Chairman to an event (e.g. annual dinner), please get in touch with our Facilitator: elaine.henson@dartford.gov.uk
Zapran is currently a student at Dartford Grammar School, working towards his International Baccalaureate Diploma – and studying Chemistry, Biology, and Geography at Higher Level. Next year, he aspires to study Chemistry at the University of Bristol.
Having served on the youth council since 2018, he has enjoyed participating in events such as the Dartford Festival and Dartford Remembrance Service as well as other fundraising events.
He has a passion for music, having toured to Dartford’s twin town, Hanau, performing on the double bass in the DGS and DGGS Symphony Orchestra at their 50th Anniversary Concert welcoming the Deputy Mayor, as well as other notable dignitaries.
To invite the Vice Chair to an event (e.g. annual dinner), please get in touch with our Facilitator: elaine.henson@dartford.gov.uk
Kweku became a member of the Youth council in 2020, and has been involved in various fundraising events – such as a sponsored walk for the ellenor charity.
Kweku is currently the Chair of the Social Media Project Group in the Kent Youth County Council – as well as a Deputy member of the Youth Parliament for Kent. Furthermore, Kweku is a passionate Clarinettist, who plays for the Kent Youth Wind Orchestra.
This year, Kweku’s aim is to amplify the voice of the youth, as well as to improve the mental health of young people in Dartford. In the future, he plans to study medicine at a Russel Group University – to later become a Doctor of Dermatology or Paediatrics.
Krish is currently studying for his GCSEs at Dartford Grammar School – which include Computer Science, History, Geography, and Chinese. In the future, he aspires to either study Medicine or PPE at an Ivy League University, or at Oxbridge respectively.
In his free time, Krish enjoys playing cricket and debating, particularly when it encompasses geopolitical factors – such as, in Model United Nations. He also devotes his time to further youth work, working alongside the Kent Youth County Council and UK Youth Parliament.
Since joining the Youth council in 2020, Krish aims to help promote and advertise Dartford Youth Council, in order to involve more young people with the local community – from simply supporting local events and charities, to ultimately the decisions our council makes.
Sarah is currently working towards her International Baccalaureate Diploma – studying Computer Science, Psychology, and Geography at Higher Level. At her school, she part of the Prefect team, as the Havelock House Captain.
Outside of Dartford Youth Council, she enjoys spending time with friends, going to concerts, and listening to music – as well as playing the saxophone. She also enjoys participating in sports, such as Dance and Netball.
This year, Sarah’s aim is to promote Dartford Youth Council to even more young people, and participate in various charity fundraising events to give back to the local community. In the future, she aspires to study Computer Science at university – to later become a software developer.
Tami is currently studying for her GCSEs at Dartford Grammar School for Girls – studying subjects such as Design Technology, Geography, French, and Physical Education.
In her free time, Tami enjoys taking part in various sports, such as Netball – where she regularly competes with her club at regional level. Additionally, she has recently developed an interest in Volleyball, which she plays at Dartford Volleyball Club. She also greatly enjoys both music and drama.
This year, Tami’s aim as events officer is to aid gatherings with other councils. In the future, she aims pursue a career in mechanical engineering, then specialise in robotics engineering.
On Monday, we went to the Salvation Army in Dartford and helped sort toys for different charities. We all thoroughly enjoyed helping the Salvation Army, and knowing that the toys that we sort will go to charities that benefitted from our help.
On the 3rd August we embarked on a trip to the Houses of Parliament. We possessed a tourist like image; a big, over-excited group all wearing our DYC t-shirts ready to learn about one of the most important historical landmarks in England. Entering the building you could only but be captivated by the amazing interior, with the vast space and beautiful stained glass windows.
Our tour guide took her time to carefully explain the many elements of the building. From how the tiles were made, to details on the various paintings, it was astonishing to discover how much time and effort was taken into making the Houses of Parliament look so grand.
As we hovered over the comfy looking red and green chairs in The House of Lords and Commons, we were informed of the differences between them and taught how decisions that impact the country are made.
An amazing fact shared was that behind The Speaker’s Chair in the House of Commons, there is a sack which contains all of the petitions brought to the attention of the House and out of the many petitions, one in ten gets passed.
Amongst the numerous paintings a really interesting one was Daniel Maclise’s Waterloo. Maclise’s painting of The Battle of Waterloo is a great depiction of the gore and victory of one of the most famous battles in history. The tour guide explained how Maclise tended not to autograph his work instead he added little things in his paintings to indicate that they were created by him. In the painting Waterloo, Maclise paints two subjects holding glasses of water, which would have been very odd on a battleground but an amazing way to tag his work.
When the tour was over we were given the opportunity to look around some of the building once more and take in the beautiful surroundings.
After leaving the Houses of Parliament with new knowledge on British history and politics we had a relaxing lunch together in an open space near the London Eye.
All in all, our trip to The Houses of Parliament was fun and informative and I look forward to what the next Dartford Youth Council trip has in store.
Dartford Youth Council 