In May 2025 the Newton Abbot Youth Council celebrated its first birthday. Our grants and engagement officer, Sophie, met with the youth council and its partners to find out how this project is giving young people a voice in their local community, and to celebrate some of its achievements so far.
Newton Abbot CIC started the youth council to empower young people to engage in local democracy and make a real difference in their community. The group for 11 to 16-year-olds meets for weekly drop-in sessions and participates in a programme of activities to access support and voice their concerns and ideas about what matters most to them.
The issues raised by participants vary widely, ranging from mental health support and anti-bullying campaigns to improving local recreational spaces and addressing environmental concerns. Some of the Youth Council’s projects include:
Alex Gurpinar, Youth Council Manager, said: “The creativity and commitment these young people bring is incredible. It’s a joy to see them grow in confidence and take ownership of the issues they care about.”
In December 2024, Newton Abbot CIC received a £5,000 grant from Devon Community Foundation thanks to funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The grant has enabled the CIC to continue this valuable work by part funding a Youth Council Manager and Youth Worker for an additional 12 months.
Following her visit, Sophie said: “It was fantastic to meet the young people and team behind the Youth Council and hear firsthand about the amazing work they’ve done over the past year. Seeing how funding from partners like the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is making a real difference is truly inspiring. It’s also really encouraging to see young people engaging in democracy, having a voice in local issues, and building connections with other organisations in their area.”
Set up in 2008, Newton Abbot CIC was originally established to deliver the projects and priorities from the Newton Abbot & District Community Plan but has broadened over the years in response to community needs and opportunities. Today, the CIC manages two community centres and covers a diverse range of projects including refugee support, a community garden and the Courtney Cafe, which offers Free Soup Thursdays.
Looking forward, the Youth Council is planning to host a Youth Zone at this summer’s Rotary Fayre — a space full of activities, information, and opportunities for local young people. If you would like to find out more, you can get in touch with Alex by email via alex@newtonabbotcic.org.uk.
If you’d like to help support projects like this, please get in touch with our Head of Development and Philanthropy, Laura Cameron-Long, to discuss how you can support grassroots work in Devon. You can reach Laura at lcameronlong@devoncf.com or call 01884 906 685.
