Young people are encouraged to have a greater say in the type of activities, events and services available across Thanet.

The island’s youth strategy covers a range of areas including health and lifestyle, listening to views and opinions, making the most of opportunities, setting up a youth communicators network that involves regular newsletters and the Youth Matters website, and working with groups including Thanet Youth Council.

The Thanet Youth Matters magazine and website is to ensure that as many young people, parents, carers and people who work with young people can find out about youth events and information locally.

Thanet Youth Matters is a partnership project led by Thanet District Council and the Engage Youth Forum together with a number of other youth organisations. It was developed after work on the youth strategy and survey in 2007.

Cllr Jo Gideon, Thanet council cabinet member for Safer Neighbourhoods, Health and Communities, said: “The Youth Strategy is already making a difference to young people’s lives, with the launch of the new Youth Matters magazine and the accompanying website.

"Both are aiming to keep young people fully up to date with all the activities that are available to them, something young people asked for during the Youth Matters consultation. Improving information for young people is just the first step in implementing the Youth Strategy, with the next stages looking at we can get them more involved in having their say on the services that are provided for them.”

Work on the strategy has been led by Thanet District Council, who worked in partnership with Kent County Council, Engage, the Children’s Consortia and a range of other organisations that work with young people. A new play strategy has also been appended to the Youth Strategy, which aims to improve play opportunities for children and young people.

Meanwhile, young people across the island have been taking part in a series of free Easter blast events. Activities included football, cricket, volleyball, cheerleading, an arts and crafts tent, mobile skate park, live music, DJ-ing and MC-ing. There were also chill out areas with juice bar, a chance to “cycle your own smoothie” and Bernie the Bus, a mobile youth centre with computer games, music room and cinema area.

The events were at recreation grounds and parks in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Westgate.

For a copy of Thanet Youth Strategy, contact 01843 577042 or visit www.thanetyouthmatters.co.uk