ESY Forum was set up in September 2007 with a number of aims:
This seems a bit complicated- the question that most young people ask is 'what does that mean for me?' It means that you can have a voice on the issues affecting you and a chance to make positive changes in and around your area. We also hope the forum helps young people to meet new people and gain new skills and confidence. Finally, the forum gives you the opportunity to be listened to by decision makers and politicians. This is important so that when key decisions are being taken about our area or about other issues that affect your life, your opinions are listened to and taken into account.
Members of the forum can come from a range of places; schools, universities, colleges, uniformed organisations such as Girlguiding, Scouts and Boys Brigade, youth clubs or simply individuals interested in joining. We will also be working with a variety of youth projects in the area on an issue basis for information and also support in our work: Youth Action Team, Edinburgh Leisure and Streetwork to name a few. We are also lucky to be working with Kieran and Connie, the MSYPs for the area. They have been supporting the Forum since its beginning and are happy to help the young people with practical support, contacts and advice. We are hoping to continue to link with the Scottish Youth Parliament in the future especially if we are running similar campaigns. We have chosen to work on two issues in the New Year which affect young people in the area. These are the condition of school toilets and things to do in the area.
We hope to be starting off by doing some research into local school toilets and send out surveys to young people in the area, so if you're at school, look out for this coming your way soon. The Forum are also planning to create a guide to services for young people in South Edinburgh. ESY Forum currently meets on a weekly basis in South Edinburgh. We are supported by two youth workers and have a chair-person who ensures all runs smoothly in our meetings. If you are interested in either of these issues, just want to come along to see if it's for you or simply want to let us know about an issue that is affecting you then please contact Virginia Lopez, The Base, Gracemount Leisure Centre on 0131 666 1056. Alternatively, e-mail virginialopez@edinburghleisure.co.uk [4]