Latest news with #communitywork
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I just want to help, says new 18-year-old councillor
A student who has been elected as a councillor in Lancaster, has told how he made the move out of a desire to make a difference to his community. Eighteen-year-old Wilson Colley will represent the Green Party in the city's John O'Gaunt ward, getting almost double the votes of his nearest rival in the recent elections. He said he joined the party after feeling "very disappointed with the performance of the main parties in government" who were not offering "any real hope of real change". "We're the only party offering a real alternative to austerity", said the first-year law and politics student at Lancaster University. He said: "I found myself doing work with the Greens in John O'Gaunt, particularly helping out in alley cleans and door knocking, asking about issues. "I found out that I really enjoyed this community work and I would like to do it in a more official capacity. "The opportunity came up that we needed a candidate, I stood and got chosen." Wilson, who credited his passion for politics down to his father's influence, continued: "Don't get me wrong it is laborious and at times dull, I don't think anyone on the council can deny that, but it is important so I feel like that justifies the time and effort put in. "I can't say that I will enjoy every aspect of the work - some of it will be gruelling and bureaucratic, but it is necessary and it needs to be done correctly. "By getting in, I can ensure that it is done in that manner." Beyond his current life as a student, Wilson says he has not thought too much about a long-term career in politics. "Ultimately, I want to help my community as best I can, he said. "I want to help advance the Green Party's agenda, so we will see how that leads me in the future." Young people in politics is of course not unheard of. Labour MP Sam Carling was just 22 when he won his seat last year in north-west Cambridgeshire, and Wilson believes young voices in politics is crucial. "There has been less participation amongst the youth, which is a very concerning thing," he said. "We feel the effects of current policy in the long term, whereas many of those in politics may not. "It is crucial that youth have a significant voice on government in every level." On his current to-do list, Wilson admits the issues will be typical of most city councillors. "We've got issues of littering, fly tipping and dog muck. Just standard stuff that we deal with," he said. "I believe politics on a community level is really where change can happen" However, he admits he is not quite yet done with the student life too. "Becoming a councillor has meant that I will sacrifice a fair amount of my spare time, but I'll be sure to make a little bit of time for the student lifestyle." he said. "Even if it is a bit calmer and more civilised". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Labour 'reeling from shock' of losing councillors Sam Carling: Meet the new youngest MP, born in 2002 Reform UK announce new leader of county council
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
I just want to help Lancaster, says new 18-year-old councillor
A student who has been elected as a councillor in Lancaster, has told how he made the move out of a desire to make a difference to his Wilson Colley will represent the Green Party in the city's John O'Gaunt ward, getting almost double the votes of his nearest rival in the recent said he joined the party after feeling "very disappointed with the performance of the main parties in government" who were not offering "any real hope of real change"."We're the only party offering a real alternative to austerity", said the first-year law and politics student at Lancaster University. He said: "I found myself doing work with the Greens in John O'Gaunt, particularly helping out in alley cleans and door knocking, asking about issues."I found out that I really enjoyed this community work and I would like to do it in a more official capacity. "The opportunity came up that we needed a candidate, I stood and got chosen." 'Young people crucial' Wilson, who credited his passion for politics down to his father's influence, continued: "Don't get me wrong it is laborious and at times dull, I don't think anyone on the council can deny that, but it is important so I feel like that justifies the time and effort put in."I can't say that I will enjoy every aspect of the work - some of it will be gruelling and bureaucratic, but it is necessary and it needs to be done correctly. "By getting in, I can ensure that it is done in that manner."Beyond his current life as a student, Wilson says he has not thought too much about a long-term career in politics."Ultimately, I want to help my community as best I can, he said."I want to help advance the Green Party's agenda, so we will see how that leads me in the future."Young people in politics is of course not unheard of. Labour MP Sam Carling was just 22 when he won his seat last year in north-west Cambridgeshire, and Wilson believes young voices in politics is crucial. "There has been less participation amongst the youth, which is a very concerning thing," he said."We feel the effects of current policy in the long term, whereas many of those in politics may not. "It is crucial that youth have a significant voice on government in every level."On his current to-do list, Wilson admits the issues will be typical of most city councillors. "We've got issues of littering, fly tipping and dog muck. Just standard stuff that we deal with," he said."I believe politics on a community level is really where change can happen"However, he admits he is not quite yet done with the student life too. "Becoming a councillor has meant that I will sacrifice a fair amount of my spare time, but I'll be sure to make a little bit of time for the student lifestyle." he said. "Even if it is a bit calmer and more civilised". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Timmins business owner honoured with city's Heart of Gold award
Timmins restaurateur Estela Chow received the Heart of Gold Award for decades of community work, including feeding those in need and founding local groups.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- RNZ News
Dog owner prosecuted after toddler viciously attacked in own front yard
The child was attacked by two American bulldogs. File photo. Photo: 123RF An Auckland woman has been sentenced to community work after her two dogs seriously injured a toddler in an attack in his own front yard. The two-year-old was mauled by two roaming American bulldogs that came onto his South Auckland property in March last year. His shoulder blade was fractured, and he had several serious wounds to his head and neck from the "unprovoked and sustained" attack, the council said. The dogs continued to attack as the boy's mother lifted him to safety and other people tried to help. CCTV footage showed the attack only stopped when the dogs were removed by the owners' relatives and driven away, the council said. The toddler had to have multiple operations and a long stay in hospital. The dogs' owner Janna Faumui pleaded guilty to charges of owning dogs that attacked a person causing serious injury, the council said. The judge said he was considering a jail term, but Faumi did not have a previous criminal history, did not appear to be a threat to the community and had shown remorse. She was sentenced to 150 hours community work and told to pay $2000 in emotional harm reparation to the boy's family. Both the dogs were voluntarily handed over to the council and euthanised after the attack. Auckland Council said the case was a wake-up call and all dog owners should make sure they were well trained animals and never allowed to roam. Councillor Josephine Bartlett said dog owners had to understand those duties and would be prosecuted if they failed. "It is not okay for dogs to be roaming or uncontrolled. The trauma and injuries inflicted on this child were horrific and entirely preventable," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- RNZ News
Man disqualified from owning horses for four years
Whanganui District Court. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King A Whanganui man has been disqualified from owning horses for four years after he was found guilty of failing to meet the needs of three horses in his care despite repeated warnings. The case was brought by the SPCA, which was first alerted to the man having underweight horses in 2017. Two of the horses have since been re-homed and the third is up for adoption. The man was sentenced in the Whanganui District Court to 120 hours of community work, on three charges of failing to ensure the physical and behavioural needs of animals, and failing to provide proper food. The SPCA says it is a reminder of the long-term responsibility of caring for a horse.
