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Dartford Youth Councillors were given the prestigious opportunity to become Santa’s elves for the day.

Dartford Youth Council’s first meeting of this academic year welcomed new members from across the borough for their executive committee election, offering seven senior positions including Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Web Administrator, PR Officer and Events Officer.

The meeting opened with a welcome from former Vice Chair Tom Gebbett where all new members had the opportunity to learn about what the role of a youth councillor entails, as well as welcoming guest speakers from the Volunteer Police Cadets to talk about their role in the community.

The executive committee elections had candidates from a variety of schools and youth groups, all having a short speech with candidates voted for democratically by members of the youth council.

I am very grateful to have been elected as Secretary of the Dartford Youth Council for this upcoming year. I believe that this executive team consists of passionate representatives of the council, all striving for change in Dartford. I hope to further strengthen our links with the Kent County Council, the elderly and youth in Dartford, and also with the Volunteer Cadets who visisted us today – all in the purpose of making Dartford a safer and happier place to be.

Zapran Carlsson, Secretary of the Dartford Youth Council

We welcomed Zapran Carlsson, Babafunto Ojo and Isobel Ibronike onto the Executive Committee for the first time, as well as re-elected youth councillors Danielle Okine, Ricky Taing, Toju and Princess Nwafor.

Commiserations must go to all of the unsuccessful candidates and we thank those who have moved on to further education or have left the council to pursue their careers.

Dartford Youth Council thanks Omolayo Oluwadare, David Martin-Garcia and Tom Gebbett for serving the Executive Committee from the previous academic year.

The Dartford Youth Council has been honoured for its benevolent work at the annual Try Angle Awards Ceremony at Princes Park, Dartford FC.

The awards were introduced in 1994 to raise the profile of young people in the community who really TRY, often with little or no recognition, to do their best.

Over the past year, Dartford Youth Councillors have given young people a voice as well as many new opportunities through their Monthly Meetings, their involvement with the Dartford Youth Advisory Group and representation at the annual Remembrance Parade and Dartford Festival.

Reflecting on an inspirational night, Toju, Dartford Youth Council’s Treasurer commented: “The awards night was wonderful; hearing the stories of all the winners and the struggles some had to overcome at such a young age shows the resilience and strength of young people nowadays. It also keeps me motivated to carry on the good work DYC does for those in the community of all ages and backgrounds.”

Dartford Youth Councillor Krista added: “The Try Angle Awards was very inspirational as so many young people have done good things not only for themselves, but also for others too, and it was nice to see that they get recognition for what they have done.”

Other young people including artists, musicians, activists and other people who really TRY were recognised at the event, with winners coming from Sevenoaks, Gravesham and Dartford to celebrate at Dartford’s Princes Park.

For more details about the Try Angle Awards, click here.

By Ricky, Secretary

Twenty-four finalists from this year’s Try Angle Awards were awarded prizes in recognition of their hard work and commitment at the Ashford International Hotel in the Spirit of Try Angle Awards celebration evening.

Various dignitaries and sponsors attended such as Bill Butler, who created the awards in 1994 to raise the profile of young people who really TRY, often with little or no recognition who try their best.

To nominate someone for the Try Angle Awards 2019, please see the Try Angle Awards website for more details: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/young-people/try-angle-awards

By Ricky, Secretary

Members of DYC had the opportunity to attend a one-day trip to Ypres to visit the Menin Gate, and other museums and cemeteries.

We started the day off in the early morning at Dartford Borough Council where we were then promptly picked up by coach to go to Dover.

We enjoyed playing several games of card games Cheat! and Go Fish! on the ferry before we were welcomed by the sunny weather at Calais.

The ceremony at Menin Gate was a great time to reflect on the fallen soldiers who fought for our lives today.

The Dartford Youth Councillors, yet weary, enjoyed the trip.

By Ricky, Secretary

100 years ago marked the end of the First World War which killed over 40 million people. Today, Dartford Youth Councillors, as well as representatives from other organisations, paraded and presented a wreath at the annual Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial at Central Park.

Other youth organisations and groups such as the Sea Cadets Corps and the Air Training Corps attended the service and paraded around Dartford with the youth council.

Various dignitaries attended such as the Mayor of Dartford Cllr David Mote, Gareth Johnson MP, Cllr Ann Allen MBE, Headmaster of Dartford Grammar School John Oakes, and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE.

Music was performed by the Bexleyheath Branch of the Salvation Army and the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Dartford with prayers given from the Reverend Andrew Avery.

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!

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.