Time to inspire teenagers in Teignbridge: Anne Marie Morris
ANNE MARIE MORRIS has backed proposals outlined by Conservative leader David Cameron for the creation of a voluntary ‘citizen service’ for all 16-year-olds.
Building on the work of the Young Adult Trust, Mr Cameron recently outlined plans for school leavers and those going to college to take part in a six-week programme, including charity work and physical training.
The scheme would allow everyone involved to be able to meet, interact and develop friendships with participants from a range of different backgrounds. The Conservative leader said insisted it would boost participant’s pride in themselves and Britain.
Giving her backing to the scheme Anne Marie, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Newton Abbot said: “One of the biggest problems we face – across Teignbridge but also in the country as a whole – is how to heal our broken society.
“It certainly won’t be easy, but I think that establishing a National Citizen Service for young people could be one of the ways to go about it. At the moment, too many teenagers feel neglected by society. This programme, I think, would help them to feel part of it, and to feel that they had a stake in its success. You don’t trash what you value.
“While this is not the National Service of the 1950s, it is a way of preparing the young for the future, and of teaching them values that they will carry with them into adulthood – as happened with our parents and grandparents. If we can re-capture the ethos of service to the nation, and of contributing to society, through something designed very much for the 21st Century, I think there would be a huge benefit for those involved, for local communities, and for society as a whole.’
The programme was also welcomed by Rachel Billing, a member of Teignbridge Youth Council, who said that a scheme designed to focus the energies and talents of young people in the area was long overdue. She said: “We definitely need to do something to inspire teenagers, and to tap into the high levels of enthusiasm that most of them have.
“This idea sounds really good, because it would help young people to develop their social skills, and to gain valuable experience for the future – all while meeting new people and having a great time.”
