What Matters - a new website for young
people
Whether you are at
school, unemployed, at home or on the street, there’s something for
everyone on the new What Matters website.
What Matters is a new website developed by Ashford Borough
Council dedicated to provide information for the borough’s young
people.
The website offers a range of information on subjects from
health, transport, environmental issues, debt, finding a home,
personal safety, events and much more. There are links to other
websites and contact details of organisations where young people
can find further information or advice.
The website, which has been developed with input from local
young people, went live on Friday July 27 and will
be officially ‘launched’ at the Create Music Festival on
Sunday July 29.
Tom Sharp, Secretary of the Ashford Youth Forum said: “The new
What Matters website is brilliant. It’s easy to use and has all the
information you could want.”
“You may be looking to see what events are coming up, need help
on how to find a home, where to turn if you are being bullied or
simply want to know which bus can get you where you want to
go.”
“From the serious to not so serious you should be able to find
essential contacts and information. It also has sections on things
to do, getting about, having your say, and staying safe.”
His message to local youngsters is simple: “What Matters has
been designed for you with your input - check it out, add it to
your favourites on your laptop or PC (CTRL D on your keyboard)
and remember the website welcomes your feedback so don’t forget to
tell them what you think.”
Forum committee member Jack Clements added: “The website is well
laid out and it’s easy to find the information you are looking for.
Having on-line polls it’s a great way for the council to get young
people’s views.”
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for Cultural Services
welcomed the website saying; “This is great news for the borough’s
young people. Consultations with them revealed they preferred to be
kept up to date with what’s going on in our borough, and to find
information and advice electronically and we are delighted to be
able to respond to their needs with the What Matters website.”
“This is yet another example of Ashford’s young people taking
the lead with a modern approach to the way in which they want to
direct the communications agenda.”
More Information
The website can also be used as a vehicle for keeping young
people across the borough up-to-date with latest developments
within the borough and for consultation and feedback on the
council’s plans and proposals for the future.
The website has the facility for online forms and polls which
will enable young people to help the continuous development of the
website and feedback on any consultation we may use the website to
facilitate.
Why has What Matters been developed?
Ashford Borough Council recognises the vital importance of
working with young people, providing information and facilities for
them and involving them in democratic and decision making processes
on issues that affect them and their communities.
In 2004 the council undertook a consultation exercise with the
borough’s young people on a range of issues as a result of the
governments Every Child Matters agenda. This helped the Ashford
Partnership (the local strategic partnership) produce the What
Matters youth strategy which provides Ashford Borough Council the
focus for the development of its youth services. A clear message
from the What Matters consultation exercises was that the borough’s
young people wished to receive information and communicate in a
range of formats with an emphasis on electronic media such as
websites and email and welcomed the possibility of a dedicated
local youth website.
What is the cost to the council tax payer?
The website has been developed wholly with funding from the
former Department of Constitutional Affairs.
Media Release 0231/07
20/07/2007
Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Call: 01233 330290 Email: info@whatmattersashford.co.uk Text: 07765 897208
Copyright 2007 Ashford Borough Council
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