Get drugs aware at Brent Youth Matters 2

Young people can find out about the reality of drugs and their effects at the next Brent Youth Matters 2 (BYM2) forum on 5 May.

 
The two-hour session, which takes place from 6 to 8pm at the Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre in Stonebridge, will also highlight the on-going campaign against the recreational drug, Khat, and feature a presentation by a group called Guidelines on how to get involved in creating a youth magazine or website.

BYM2 forums are regular, monthly meetings that are open to all 13 to 19 year-olds in the borough. Supported by Brent Youth Service, BYM2 members have recently been part of a successful bid to secure £5 million government funding to re-develop Roundwood Youth Club.

Held on the first Tuesday of every month, each forum usually has a theme or agenda that is relevant to young people, along with speakers from various organisations giving talks on a range of topical subjects. Recent forums have included workshops on discrimination, gun and knife crime and how to get faith groups and parents more involved in talking about sex and relationships with young people. BYM2 have also been involved in consultations in partnership with organisations such as the NHS.

Proving it's not all serious stuff, a few members also got involved in organising the recent Brent Youth Oscars and Generation X Factor - two glittering events held for the first time that were a real hit with audiences and participants alike.

Brent Council's Youth Participation Officer, Nisha Thakershi says: "Over the years BYM2 has made a real contribution towards improving the lives of young people in Brent, most recently of course with the successful Roundwood Youth Club funding bid, which is a really good example of what young people can achieve when they work together."

BYM2's next forum takes place on Tuesday 5 May from 6 - 8pm in the Conference Suite of the Bridge Park Leisure Centre.

For further information please telephone 020 8937 3761.