A series of workshops are being held as area boards prepare for changes to the way youth activities are delivered from October.

Across Wiltshire local communities will be closely involved in arranging activities for their young people, liaising with local groups and ensuring the sessions match what young people want to do, says Wiltshire Council.

This is part of the new model to ensure as many young people as possible are able to access community activities while the service gives taxpayers value for money.

The workshops are a chance for area board members and newly appointed community youth officers to have the guidance and information needed to ensure the changes go smoothly.

Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for children's services. said: “The future of youth activities is taking shape.

"Our young people have been a key part of the changes and we’ve been encouraged by the number of local groups who have expressed an interest in providing local activities for young people.

“These workshops are giving local communities the tools and resources they need to ensure the transition runs smoothly and I look forward to seeing young people take advantage of activities they want in their areas.”

Under the new model the community youth officers (CYOs) will co-ordinate activities and help support young people in each area. The CYOs will help communities, particularly young people, develop what they would like to see in their area.

The area boards will be working with their own CYO, young people’s representatives and community partners through newly formed Local Youth Networks (LYNs). These groups will provide the opportunity for young people to get involved in determining what activities are needed in their area.

The activities themselves will be provided by a range of organisations, including voluntary and community groups. Many of these groups are already running activities, often using paid staff. Part of the new service model will mean they will be able to apply to their area board for funding.

Meanwhile young people with additional needs who used to take part in “bridging” projects across Wiltshire will continue to have access to activities.

From October community-led positive activity clubs will be provided in Salisbury and Tisbury.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s has also been commissioned to provide a youth activities service in other areas across the county. Further information on these services will be made available within the next few weeks and the council is working closely with the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council to manage these changes.

Sally Willox is taking up the role of community youth officer for Devizes from October 1 and is looking forward to working with the Devizes community area to build on provision in place for young people.

She said: “Through the implementation of the LYN-Local Youth Network, I will consult and work with young people and adults, listening to them, helping them to formulate plans and support them with funding applications, as well as monitor provision, to enable the community to capacity build on what there already is, identify gaps and put into place new positive activities for young people.

"I will engage with young people through schools, college, youth organisations as well as throughout the community and meet with adults through existing groups both within Devizes and the wider outlying area.

"It is important to listen and respond to a diverse range of the community to ensure opportunities are available to as many young people as possible. Young people with additional needs will be engaged with too, to ensure specific opportunities are in place for them.

"I will be working very closely with the Devizes Community Area Board to effectively and positively roll out the new community led model.”