YOUNG people will be speaking out about their reputations and gauging the views of other youths at this month's Suffolk Show.

YOUNG people will be speaking out about their reputations and gauging the views of other youths at this month's Suffolk Show.

Suffolk Coastal Teen Views (SCTV) will be at the show on May 30 and 31, aiming to put everyone in the picture about what young people want.

The SCTV was set up to rid of the bad reputation placed on young people in the area, and spend money to give youths more to do.

SCTV's Alexander Stewart, from Felixstowe, said: “Our targets are to promote the reputation of youths in Suffolk Coastal, proving that the majority of us are not the assaulting, vandalising yobs that sections of the media so often likes to describe us as.

“We want to raise the awareness of young people's need to local services, such as transport, as well as developing activity programmes with Suffolk Coastal's sports and leisure teams.

“SCTV will also be getting out to interview people at various events, like this month's Suffolk Show, to find out what youths want in their own areas and finding out what adults really think of us.

“SCTV is already extremely busy and after only two meetings we can see our group is going to make a difference in the Suffolk Coastal district. We are calling on any young person in our area to give us their ideas or complaints. We are here to make a difference so get in touch with us.

“We would also keen to hear from or work with any local business or organisation that works with young people or would benefit from a SCTV perspective on how they could change or improve things for this district's teens.”

Created with the support of Suffolk Coastal's youth co-ordinator, Keri Mohan, the group has already helped make spending decisions that has seen money from the Youth Opportunity Fund and the Youth Capital Fund allocated to projects in the area.

Its own work has gained £7,000 from the Youth Opportunity Fund towards equipment, transport and volunteer expenses.

Its successful bid also includes a training programme for SCTV members so they can take part in the selection process for new youth workers, teachers and even head teachers.

SCTV can be contacted by e-mailing keri.mohan@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk or texting her on 07795 092255, or writing to Keri Mohan or SCTV at Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU.

N What do you want to see happen for young people in Suffolk Coastal? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk