Wokingham

Hot off the printing press this month is a summer edition of Wokingham Txt magazine - a magazine from Wokingham Borough Council which is written by young people for young people.

Wokingham Txt is aimed at keeping young people in the borough aged between 11 and 18 years up-to-date with activities that are going on and providing them with lots of information about how they might get involved with some of the many activities taking place.

The latest summer edition covers some key issues and contains information that matters to young people in the Wokingham Borough. Articles featured include fair trade, Berkshire Costume Service, anti-bullying workshop, launch of the young person’s active youth website, a youth exchange to Palestine, fundraising activities and much, much more.

Wokingham Borough youth MP Adam Connell gives an insight into his work representing the views of the borough’s young people and talks about what he’s been doing in his first five months as youth MP, as well as his plans for the future. Deputy youth MP Shabana Karim also talks about her role supporting Adam.

Txt also caught up with young people from Wokingham Library’s manga drawing club to find out how they became interested in Japanese comics and cartoons and why they like the club so much! The magazine also highlights how much talent there is the Wokingham Borough with articles by Eloise Laurent who performed at a London Theatre and a group of young people who took part in the top television show Britain’s Got Talent.

Txt shows Wokingham young people that there is a lot going on to keep them busy this summer. A pull-out section in the centre pages has been designed to be displayed on a wall or notice board, highlighting all the information they need to know about what is happening at local youth centres as well as in many local sporting areas.

Many of the Wokingham youth centres are running summer schemes including residential trips, football competitions, quad biking, moped training, water sports, archery, barbeques and much, much more. Check out the details at www.wokingham.gov.uk/youthservice or www.activeyouth.co.uk or drop into your local youth centre to see what is happening during the summer. The council’s sports development unit is also running a whole range of events over the summer months.

Copies of Txt are sent to every secondary school pupil in the borough and will also be available from youth centres and libraries. Copies can be downloaded from the Wokingham Borough Council website at www.wokingham.gov.uk/txt

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member of Wokingham children’s services, said: “Txt allows young people to have their say on the issues that are important to them. Another aim of the magazine is to show young people that there really is a great deal for them to do thanks to facilities and events right across the Wokingham Borough.

“This edition of Txt sees some great articles written by the young people and it is good to see their involvement in the magazine. I would urge all young people to get themselves to a local youth centre this summer – you may be surprised to see how much is going on!

“If there are any young people who would like to submit articles for the next edition, please get in touch. We are keen to know what they think about the magazine and we would love to hear from young people, whether it’s on a topical issue they feel strongly about or if they would like to interview people or review projects. Now is the time for budding journalists to get in touch!”

Anyone who would like to submit articles for the next edition of Txt can do so by emailing: txt@wokingham.gov.uk or by calling senior communications officer Andrea Jenkins on 0118 974 6010.

Wokingham Borough Council