SYP Weekly Update 133
11th March 2010
Find out more about what's happening in the SYP in our weekly updates, click on the section title to take you to more information for each of the articles...
List
Events
- SYP charges into priceless action for young people
- Parkour? Yes please!
- Making Power Work for Women
- Help for Haiti
General
- Don’t Lose The Music!
- O2 launches 'Think Big' funding for young people
- Better Out Than In
NOTE: Some of the opportunities mentioned in the Weekly Update may apply only to Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). Please email francesca.l@syp.org.uk for guidance.
SYP charges into priceless action for young people
It’s been difficult to escape the financial hard times of the last year and young people are no exception – in fact many argue that young people are being hardest hit by the economic recession and should be a big priority for action.
With that in mind, the SYP March Sitting in Coatbridge over the weekend of 6th and 7th March, MSYPs got stuck into hot debates themed around ‘Young people and money’, heard from special guests, got honoured at the SYP Awards 2010, debated issues that they care about that may go to the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee and looked to the future of the SYP and our next Youth Manifesto!
You can read all about the Sitting by heading to the home page www.syp.org.uk.
Parkour? Yes please!
Fancy doing some freerunning, or Parkour for free? “Know the Score" are running events all over Scotland for under 25’s to take part in a free (meaning no cost to you) freerunning event! Get it?
Freerunning or Parkour is when you run, jump, or skip over objects, buildings, and generally adopt a freestyle type of running over an urban landscape. But before you start to throw yourselves about in preparation for the event make sure you check out the “Know the Score” Facebook page to find all the details on how to get signed up, beginners are more than welcome! (If you can’t access Facebook just click here.)
Making Power Work for Women
Listen up ladies fancy finding out more about how to harness your fabulous womanly powers in politics? Why not sign up to the conference: Making Power Work for Women, an International Conference transforming women’s political representation into practical policies for better lives. Only a fiver for concessions! Just for more details click here.
Help for Haiti
Our very own Danielle Rowley MSYP for Midlothian is hosting a fundraising gig in aid of the Haiti earthquake appeal this weekend. With bands The Debuts, The Revenue, and The Roosa Mitchell Band who have supported acts such as Ocean Colour Scene and Hard-Fi in the past, the night's set to be a scorcher and all in aid of a good cause! Do you need a better excuse to get your party gear on and have a boogie? We think not!
Where: Dalkeith Miners Club – Midlothian
When: Sunday 14th March, 6-9pm
Cost: £4 on the door
In the meantime check out their music by clicking on the names below:
The Debut
The Roosa Mitchell Band
The Revenue
Or find more details on the Facebook events page.
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Don’t Lose The Music!
There seems to be a fair amount of activity by MSYPs in local areas regarding proposed funding cuts to school music services in areas all over the country. Angus Duncan MSYP for Dunfermline East is taking a stand, and is firmly opposed to the funding cuts. In protest to these cuts he will be joining a local rally on April 5th outside Fife House to try and raise awareness of the effects of such a budget cut, and to try and stop the proposed funding cuts of up to 50% to his Fife Music service. If you want to read more on the issue facing Fife schools, or want to sign the online petition just click here.
Meanwhile just over the bridge in Midlothian Danielle Rowley, winner of SYP’s ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award is facing similar budget cuts in her local council area of Midlothian. As part of this year's budget, tuition will be restricted only to those currently learning to play an instrument. As a result Danielle has helped set up a Facebook page which has attracted over 750 users, and has also been involved in the creation of an online petition to be presented to the council.
If you support opposition to music funding cuts you can show your support by joining the Facebook page, or signing the local petitions as linked to above.
Is there anything like this happening where you live too? If so why not post your comments on Facebook or Bebo, or start a conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #sypmusic.
Better Out Than In – Give us your views on the Sitting and the SYP generally!
We’re asking MSYPs what you thought of the SYP Sitting at the weekend and some other parts of our work too as part of our ‘Better Out Than In’ survey. Keep an eye out for the email in you inbox, and please fill it in; we need your feedback so we can continue improving the way we work! There’s even a £20 Amazon voucher up for grabs for one lucky respondent so make sure you fill it in.
O2 launches 'Think Big' funding for young people
Got an idea for a community project? Mobile phone company O2 launched a £5m programme which will award cash-in-hand grants for young people to make a difference in their local communities. 'Think Big' gives 13-25 year olds the opportunity to obtain a £300 grant to fund projects aimed at addressing local issues.
Projects that are successful may also be eligible for a further grant of £2,500, and the programme will also provide training and support, working with O2 volunteers and a range of youth organisations. The programme is being delivered in partnership with the National Youth Agency and UK Youth.
For more details, visit the 02 Think Big website.
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