The Voice keeps Mahdlo all singing and dancing

FROM choosing what activities are on offer to helping out with the interview process for potential new youth workers, Mahdlo members have been making their voices heard loud and clear.

Since the youth centre opened more than three years ago, Mahdlo members have been at the forefront of deciding exactly what happens at the Egerton Street youth zone as part of the Mahdlo Voice groups.

Mahdlo members are encouraging more young people to get involved with the groups and have their say on what they would like to see at Mahdlo.

Lewis Saunders, who is chair of the senior Mahdlo Voice group, says he loves making a difference and seeing their ideas put into practice.

The 17-year-old Oldham College student said: “I’ve been part of the group ever since it started and I really enjoy getting involved.

“The meetings are very relaxed and we have a lot of fun, but it is also a great way to make changes at Mahdlo to suit us.”

He added that the group has had a say in how the on-site cafe operates and the activities on offer for Mahdlo members.

Lewis added: “I think anyone who is part of Mahdlo should have a say in how it runs and I’d encourage more people to get involved with the voice groups.”

The groups host regular informal meetings where they are given the chance to interview new employees, speak to other young people about their experience of Mahdlo and even give feedback to the Mahdlo board about ideas they have for the future of the youth zone.

Currently around 30 Mahdlo members take part in the three Voice groups — junior, senior and ability — however there is always room for more.

Lucy Kershaw, Mahdlo’s youth work manager, says the Voice groups are a vital way of getting information about how the young people feel about Mahdlo to the management.

She said: “Mahdlo have always aimed to be a youth-led organisation and the voice groups are a great way to empower the young people to speak about their experience here and what could possibly be done differently.

“If the young people using Mahdlo didn’t have a say in what was going on and the activities on offer then what would be the point?”

She added that the groups have already made a difference in the way Mahdlo operates after asking that a scheme offering members the chance to become “young leaders” and help out other young people to be extended to the juniors as well as the seniors.

A variety of sub groups have also been set up following the Voice sessions with a creative group dedicated to improving the arts activities on offer at Mahdlo and it is hoped more members will lead to the creation of more sub groups across the youth zone.

As well as shaping Mahdlo, the Voice members are able to learn new skills, take on responsibility and even go on additional trips away to promote Mahdlo as ambassadors.

Lucy continued: “Being part of the Mahdlo Voice groups also gives the young people the chance to learn new skills that they can use in school or when applying for jobs.

“But is also a great way of meeting new friends and having fun.

“The Voice groups are open to anyone who’d like to get involved, even young people who aren’t members at Mahdlo — we’d love to hear from them why they haven’t joined the youth zone and what they’d like to see.”

For Shannon Green being part of Mahdlo “saved her life” and she regularly gives presentations across the North-West to share her experiences as part of her role as an OnSide Youth Zone ambassador.

The 18-year-old Oldham College student said: “When I first came to Mahdlo I was in a really low place but they got me to open up, share my problems and work with me to resolve them.

“They really did turn my life around.

“It’s great to be able to go to places and share my experiences with other people as an ambassador. My confidence has increased and I’m a better public speaker now because of it.

“Young people should get involved as it can make a difference.”

The main Mahdlo Voice group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 5pm to 6pm. For more information visit www.mahdloyz.org