News Date: Friday 19th October 2007
Use it Don't Abuse It!
On Wednesday 17th October, East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton attended the first public viewing of the innovative DVD produced by Worthing Youth Council to engage young people in environmental issues.
The DVD is called Use It Don't Abuse It, and its production was made possible after Tim secured a ?10,000 grant for the project from Norwich Union. This grant was matched by a grant by the youth volunteering charity V.
The night's event was chaired by Youth Mayor Peter Fullilove (pictured cutting the cake with Tim) and those present had the first opportunity watch Use It Don't Abuse It, plot of which involves four teenagers who learn to take responsibility for environmental issues. The DVD was produced written, acted, filmed and scripted entirely by young people involved in Worthing Youth Council and Worthing Youth Theatre.
Worthing Youth Council also helped to create a work pack for teachers which will accompany the DVDs when it is sent out to Middle Schools in Worthing. Also as part of the project, the Youth Council have held litter picking events throughout Worthing which have been attended by a large number of 16-25 year olds.
Tim commented:
"I hope this fantastic DVD will inspire the young people in my constituency to play their part in saving the environment - both within the local community and campaigning to have environmental issues taken seriously at a national level.
"Too often our young people are given a bad press and are written off as trouble makers - indeed 71 per cent of media stories about young people are negative. This is a brilliant example of the positive contribution teenagers can make to society."
"Congratulations to Worthing Youth Council for all the hard work and care which has gone into producing Use It Don't Abuse It. They should be very proud of their achievement."
ENDS
