Lochmaben Youth Project Group (LYPG)

Chairperson: Andrew Black
Secretary: Caity Aitken
Treasurer: Rosie Boyd
Other Committee members: Pauline Pennie, Mairi Aitken, Sarah Lockerbie, Shayne Watson, Sean Caven, Stefanie Woods, Alex Mundell, Andrew Boyd
Community Development Worker: Gus McIntyre
Youth Worker: Martin Anderson

Funded by a Rural Voices Initiative, Lochmaben Youth Project Group (LYPG) began in Autumn 2003 with the aim of finding out what teenagers would like to see in Lochmaben. By February 2004 we had consulted with over sixty 12 to 18 year olds in the Lochmaben constituency through a questionnaire. The results were varied and main pointers were:

As a means of having fun whilst doing extra consultation we held a trip to Hollywood Bowl in Carlisle for 16 lucky youngsters. Having carried out our consultation we collated the information and presented it in front of Scottish Executive representatives, local councillors and other groups in Annandale & Eskdale at the Rural Voices Conference. We also carried out various presentations to local groups in Lochmaben including Lochmaben Community Council and Lochmaben Action Group. By April it was time to say goodbye to Rural Voices and venture independently into the big bad world of youth groups. We renamed ourselves, created a constitution, began an independent bank account and joined the Annandale & Eskdale Transport Initiative.

Our aims changed; we wanted a place to hang out and excursions to go on. Unfortunately we are yet to find a building or portacabin for our youth group to be situated but our fingers stay crossed for the future. With the help of our Local Community Development worker Gus McIntyre we applied for different funding and gradually built up money to use for trips. These ranged from an adventure day at Whithaugh Park to Shrek 2 at Annan cinema, ice-skating in East Kilbride to M & D?s theme park. Our excursions are given to Lochmaben Youths at a vastly discounted rate and have been great fun and enjoyed by all (including adult helpers).

At the start of 2005 we felt the workload was becoming too much. With exams looming for myself and Andrew, and the pressure becoming too much for other members we decided to use some of our grant money on employing a new youth worker. In February 2005 we employed Martin Anderson who works every Thursday afternoon to help relieve the workload.

Our event for the Easter Holidays was a trip to Loch Ken near Castle Douglas which was well received and enjoyed by all fifteen young people who took part.

We are now in the middle of our Summer Holidays and have held an event each week of the holidays. If you would like any extra information on these events or on any matter regarding our group please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail: lochmabenyg@yahoo.com

By Caity Aitken.