MIDDLEWICH'S Youth Forum - the Wich? Zone - met last week with other forums from across Congleton Borough to find the key to success.

The Wich? Zone was set up in a joint venture between Congleton Borough Council and Cheshire County Council with the aim of giving young people a voice in Middlewich.

Other similar groups exist in Alsager, Congleton, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach, and the five got together last Friday, October 29 to discuss what they had been doing and their future plans.

The forums are an opportunity for young people to make a difference in their community, but the Wich?Zone are struggling to find young people who are interested.

Laura Ikin, aged 15, attended the meeting on behalf of Wich? Zone. She said: "It was interesting to find out how the other forums are fund-raising, and it has given us some good ideas like applying for a lottery grant.

"This would give us the opportunity to get a cafe bar for the town, or a minibus to take us out of the town for days and nights out.

"We need people to get involved and say what they want instead of moaning that there's nothing to do."

Junction 17, the Sandbach Youth Forum, is older and very successful, and its members were able to offer some tips to the Middlewich group. Press officer Jenny Stelfox, 17, said: "We've had the determination to achieve something in our town with Junction 17. We have seven definite members and several others who come and go on a more casual basis, but this is good as we get different input at each meeting. The key to success is to keep going, keep working and stay positive. This helps us overcome obstacles and make a difference."

The Wich? Zone group next meets at The Wych Centre on Thursday, November 4. Any young people who want to get involved should call Ruth Reeves on 01270 874261.

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