U-NITE for Rochdale's future

More than 200 youngsters will come together this week for Rochdale's annual U-NITE event. The event is designed to bring people from all walks of life together to find positive solutions to some of the problems youngsters face within their local communities.

Funded by the council, the event takes place at Hopwood Hall College, Middleton, on Thursday 7 August.

Participants will be aged between 12 and 16 and come from a diverse range of social, economic and cultural backgrounds. They will take part in discussions and team building activities before ending the day on a high note with a musical celebration.

Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Ted Flynn, said: "This is a fantastic event that gives young people in the borough an opportunity to get together and talk about what's important to them. Our young people are the future of the borough and this is a real opportunity for them to talk about their hopes and aspirations as well as addressing some of the common problems that youngsters face in a supportive environment. It's important that we listen carefully to what our young people tell us - and, most importantly, that we act on it."

Members of local agencies will be on hand to listen and to offer guidance. As well as the youngsters themselves, attendees include staff from council services, Rochdale's Youth Member of Parliament, the police, Rochdale Centre of Diversity, Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Rochdale Football Club.