The Publicity and Promotions working group (Pubs & Proms) from Gedling District Youth Assembly wanted to advertise their existence and the work they do to the young people of Gedling.
There are 7 senior schools and 2 special schools in the area, with students in the age range of 13 to 19years. Approx 8,000 young people.
The young people’s decision was to produce a newsletter which would be published 3 times a year. They got funding for the 1st edition from local District and County Councillors who were interested in the work they were doing and wanted to help. Only 1,500 copies were produced for the initial edition, by Gedling Borough Council printers, and these were distributed between schools, youth clubs/projects, libraries and community centres. Funding for subsequent issues came from Youth Bank and the Youth Initiative Fund.
The number of young people on Pubs and Proms has consistently been 5 to 6 with 3 being very committed to the project.
After the initial edition, the working group decided the print run should be increased to 9,000 which would include all young people in Gedling and also leave enough copies to be sent to other outlets such as District and County Councillors, youth clubs, libraries, leisure/community centres etc. Young people decided the layout of the publication - A3 fold in full colour - the articles to be included, which they either wrote themselves or requested from other sources and a quiz, with a voucher prize.
A list of 8 printers was compiled, which the young people divided amongst themselves, to get quotes for the cost of printing the newsletter and a printer was agreed at one of the meetings.
Distribution of the newsletter was done by the young people (and their parents), to the schools they attended or by youth workers.
To date, 5 editions have been produced by the young people and they are working on edition number 6.
Blanche Steeples
