Alternative curriculum event Big success

CELEBRATING the achievements of teenagers across Lowestoft, an alternative curriculum event has been hailed as a Big success.

Youngsters, aged between 14 and 19, were recognised after they took part in learning activities outside of school.

The Big One event, which was organised and managed by young people for their peers, was held last Thursday at Carlton Manor Hotel.

And with 70 young people braving the wintry conditions to attend the event, the teenagers were represented from the following groups and organisations:

Lowestoft Youth Action, Lateral Artistes performance group, Boston Lodge Youth Club - Girls group, Old Warren PRU -Travel/Homemaker project, Colville House, Kessingland Village Hangout, The Denes High School, Kirkley High School, The Benjamin Britten High Babywise Project and The Metro.

After the evening was opened by the Mayor, Olympic boxing prospect Anthony Ogogo handed out certificates to each group and then made a short speech congratulating all the youngsters on their achievements, as well as praising the Big One organising committee for their hard work.

The event is one of six taking place in Suffolk during February as a result of Suffolk County Council receiving an award of �15,000 from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

And with each event being organised and managed by young people, they were supported by a number of partners including: Suffolk Youth & Connexions Service, Suffolk County Council, voluntary youth sector, Extended Services and Youth Offending Service.

Delighted with how the evening went, Marisa Batson, from the Suffolk Youth and Connexions Service, said: 'It was a very successful night. This event took hours of the youngsters' time to organise and they did it all voluntarily, in their free time during evenings and weekends.'