Youth Participation Young people need to have the opportunity to participate in society in a variety of ways. The Youth Council, Student Representative Councils and similar organisations provide important avenues for consultation with young people. In addition other mechanisms will often need to be used. All Age Gigs One of the clearest results of the consultations and survey was that Newcastle youth want to have access to venues where they can see bands or which have a night club atmosphere. Generally there are less problems at under age gigs than at over 18 events.
Variety is important in the type of music, the space in the venue and the age range of the gig.
Young people need assistance in order to benefit from the dynamism of the local music scene. There is clearly strong support for a youth venue which could act as a multi purpose cultur al centre for young people. Ideally it would include bands, dances, rehearsal rooms, a cafe, space to hang out and workshops. It would require staff to ensure that the venue was a safe, secure place which offered a variety or appropriate and interesting activities, and that there was consistency regarding security and expectation about behaviour. Council should take a leading role in the establishment of a Newcastle youth venue.