Achievements were celebrated and supporters rewarded at the Youth Service’s annual staff conference. Ken Callister, the Department of Education and Children’s Principal Youth Officer, opened the event, held at the Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, on Thursday. The Youth Service increased its appeal to young people over the past year, with an additional 1,112 individuals joining clubs and projects, taking membership to more than 4,000 young people for the first time, Ken said. ‘We go to great lengths to listen to what young people want from us and we work in partnership with them,’ he commented. ‘It’s good to know we are getting it right. ‘When it’s as much fun for the youth workers as it is for the young people, it opens up all sorts of possibilities for young people to feel a real sense of ownership and engagement.’ Ken continued: ‘Our clubs and projects provide a safe place for young people to socialise. Young people tell us that the support and friendliness of the youth worker is as important as activities and the thing that glues it all together is our favourite strapline – “Taking Fun Seriously”.’ The Youth Service offers accredited training through the Open College Network and the conference saw 18 staff who completed the Introduction to Youth Work course awarded certificates. The gathering was an opportunity to say thank you to some of the organisations and companies that have contributed funds and support over the last year. Tim George and Steve Garry, representing Rushen Round Table, received an award for helping the Phab (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied) club. Phab is a youth club for young people from around the Island and, since the early 90s, members of the Rushen Round Table have driven minibuses, collecting young people and returning them home at the end of the evening. Ken Callister said: ‘This is a long overdue public thank you to group of people who have given us more than 20 years of voluntary service through which many hundreds of young people have benefited.’ Nick Pledger, Alison Ennett and Johnny Wade, from Britannia International, received an award in recognition of the support they have given to the Peel allotment project and the Soundcheck music project and for the company’s sponsorship of trainee instructors with Adventure Education, based at Ardwhallan. Britannia has not only provided much-needed equipment but has encouraged staff to offer practical help to projects, too, and Ken said: ‘It is very encouraging to see the private sector getting hands-on and showing a genuine commitment to making the Isle of Man a better place for young people.’ The Isle of Man Bank provided some of the funds that allowed the Youth Service to hire the Gaiety Theatre for its annual Duke of Edinburgh’s Award presentation evening. ‘Last year, more than 100 young people received awards and using the Gaiety makes it a special occasion for young people, their family and friends,’ Ken said. Chris Mitchell received the award on behalf of the bank. Peter Dainton, who works for Royal London 3600 and is a youth worker in Laxey, arranged for some plush leather furniture for the village youth centre. It is not something that the club could have afforded. It has been a great addition to the social space and is appreciated by the young people, Ken said. ‘Peter is one of more than 100 part-time youth workers and it is great that Royal London 360 recognises it has a member of staff who is helping young people from the community in which he lives and is prepared to offer some support,’ Ken concluded. For more information on the Youth Service’s 65 clubs and projects, visit https://www2.sch.im/groups/iomyouth/ Ends