Spotlight on voice of youth in Carterton

Collaboration is key to youth development and a safer community in Carterton, says Lorraine Gittings, Carterton District Council community development manager.

Mrs Gittings said last month Deborah Davidson had started as Youth Development co-ordinator for South Wairarapa after funding of $80,000 a year for the next three years was granted for the scheme by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Ms Davidson will be based at the South Wairarapa Safer Community Council and will be working closely with each council and other Wairarapa youth agencies like The Spot in Masterton, Mrs Gittings said.

"The council is interested in hearing what the young people have to say - who do they identify with and in what town," Mrs Gittings said.

"It's about getting a view of the world from their perspective and developing an overarching Wairarapa approach to youth development."

A key role for Ms Davidson will be the co-ordination of a Youth Forum and building on Youth Week in May.

"There will also be a push for positive media involving the young because after all, they are part of our community and not aliens on the periphery."

Mrs Gittings said collaboration was also vital to the development of neighbourhood support and community patrols in Carterton.

Sue Tennent, a former manager of Carterton Postshop, was appointed co-ordinator of the Neighbourhood Support network in Carterton.

About 100 families have signed up to the support group, mainly in rural Carterton, which aims to "help make the homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and more caring places for members of the network".

Mrs Gittings said she, Mrs Tennent and Carterton district councillor John Booth also in December had met with the Carterton Community Patrol "to encourage more joined-up thinking around community safety".

She said monthly meetings of the patrol will be held at the Carterton Events Centre and the group would link back to the council and pool ideas and proposals.