Braddan Parish Commissioners are very pleased to announce that they are the first local authority on the island to make a successful application to be included on the Investing in Children scheme which is aimed at human rights for children.

The Investing in Children Membership Scheme recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice with children and young people, and organisations applying for the award have to demonstrate dialogue with young people which leads to change.

It is the children and young people who have to provide the evidence for the organisation and endorse the membership report because it is a children’s award. 

The Commissioners applied early in the year to acknowledge the work that had been done by Paul Parker, their Community Warden, to provide or improve recreational facilities for the young of the parish.

The Chairman of the Commissioners , Mrs Margaret Hodge said “It is important to provide facilities for the youth of the Parish, but it’s not cost effective to provide the wrong thing in the wrong way. We are striving to provide the best service possible, given the resources we have available, but without Paul working with the young people of the Parish we wouldn’t be sure that we are providing something that is needed and long-lasting”.

As part of the process Mrs Baker, Deputy Head Ballakermeen High School, acting as the Assessor for the scheme, met with children at Ballacottier School and other youths in the Parish to seek their views on how they had been consulted and had their opinions been acted on.

Photo - Mrs Baker making presentation of certificate to Mrs Margaret Hodge, Chairman BPC and Paul Parker, Community Warden