Produced by the Mitcham Youth Council.

Youth Organisations listed in the handbook

A MESSAGE FROM
the Major
Alderman G. W. PEARCE

THIS booklet contains Youth Organisations that exist in Mitcham. They are all worth your consideration. Whether you are a girl or a boy, there is always an organisation that will suit your taste. Don’t go through life without a goal in view, something to aim for, something to create, someone to help. The happy person is the active one.

You have probably been told that you are the citizens of tomorrow, the citizens who will build and rule this Borough, even this Country; that is perfectly true, and the results depend upon your mode of life at this time. Most of you have experienced World War 2 – do you want to see that happen again? Of course not! But if you and thousands like you do not take an active interest in the every-day happenings of life, then anything can happen. Don’t be apathetic, don’t leave it all to the other fellow. It is your life to make or mar, see you make the best of it. I would recommend the Boy Scouts’ motto: “Be prepared.”

Be prepared to help yourself; stand upon your own feet; be prepared to help the other chap – there is fun and satisfaction in that; and he prepared to take whatever life has to offer, cheerfully. Respect your parents and those in authority. Remember your Bible and all it stands for.

33 Ashtree Avenue, Mitcham.

MITCHAM YOUTH COUNCIL

Executive Committee

Chairman: Mr. A. J. Doig, B.A.
Secretary: Mr. G. A. Saunders
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. T. W. Twiggs

Mr. Edmund Clark, Gladstone Mission
Mr. J. A. Cocks, A.D.C. Scouts
Alderman East, Mitcham Borough Council
Dr. (Mrs.) Evans
Councillor D. Gifford, School Governors
Miss F. Mizen, D.C. Guides
Mr. J. N. Noall, National Union of Teachers
Rev. C. Richardson, Church of the Ascension
Mrs. P. Stone, Alpha Youth Club
Youth Employment Officer
Youth Officer, Mr. T. Baptie

Youth Office – Western Road County Secondary School,
Western Road,
Mitcham
Telephone: MITcham 4955

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN A. J. DOIG

IN supplying this Brochure for the use of the young men and women of Mitcham, the Youth Council hopes that it will prove a valuable help to the various organisations and clubs in doing their work. The Council hopes that boys and girls, on leaving school, will join the clubs best suited to them, and that they will find that, in addition to these clubs giving them games, and many other activities, they will be able by their example and work to do something for Mitcham youth and for Mitcham as a whole, and that they will always feel themselves called upon to do something of service for others.

THE SERVICE OF YOUTH

The Service of Youth is a part of the educational system of the county. It is not a “Youth Movement” but a partnership between voluntary youth organisations and the Local Education Authority to assist and extend the work that was done for many years by the voluntary organisations alone. Service of Youth means service to youth in welfare, recreation and education, but, equally important, it fosters service by youth to the community.

Mitcham Youth Council consists of representatives of all the youth organisations in the Borough who have affiliated to the Council, representatives of the Education Authority, the Borough Council, the teaching profession, the Evening Institutes, and persons interested in the welfare of youth. The Council meets quarterly and elects its own Executive Committee to carry on the day to day work of the Council. Acting through its full-time Youth Officer, it assists organisations by organising the training of leaders and members, by acting as a link between the organisations and the education authority, and by providing information and advice to organisations. It passes applications for grant aid for equipment and premises to the County Youth Committee. It provides the services of specialist instructors, the free use of school premises for youth activities and lends equipment to units of organisations which it would not be practicable for then to own themselves. The Council. also organises annual contests, which include table tennis, netball, cricket and football leagues, athletic sports, swimming gala, drama festival, and this year is organising a photographic competition and a quiz competition for the first time.

Affiliation to the Youth Council is to the advantage of all youth organisations. This does not mean that the Council exerts any control over them: it does mean that they are in touch with all matters affecting youth in the Borough. All affiliated organisations are represented on the Youth Council and receive information on all matters of importance to youth. The services of the Youth Officer are available to all youth organisations whether affiliated or not, but the authority is expressly debarred giving assistance which involves expenditure of public funds to organisations of a political nature.

The Handbook is published in the hope that young people who are not members of any organisation will be encouraged on reading it to seek membership of one or other of the organisations listed, and to take advantage of the educational and recreative facilities offered. It is hoped that the handbook will also serve as a useful work of reference for those engaged in the Service of Youth.

The co-operation of all organisations is requested in keeping the list as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Corrections and additional information will be welcomed.

Information of any kind about youth work will be willingly given. to any bodies or individuals upon enquiry at the Youth Office, Western Road School, Mitcham. Telephone: MITcham 4955.

Source: Local Studies Centre, Morden Library, Civic Centre, Morden.
Reference: L2 (369) MIT