WARWICKSHIRE’S Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox hit the road recently to visit young people’s organisations across the county.
The visits included spending time with Stratford Sea Cadets, attending a variety show performed by local Scout and Guide movements, and chairing a meeting for the charity Young People First.
First on the itinerary was the visit to Stratford Sea Cadets – a group that encourages people aged ten to 18 to get involved in a range of activities and adventures to learn key life skills.
The skills range from teamwork, respect, loyalty, and self-confidence, to commitment, self-discipline, honesty, and how to be the best version of themselves.
As Lord Lieutenant, Mr Cox is a regular visitor of cadet groups across the county including the Army Cadets, The Air Training Corps and Combined Cadets, as well as the Sea Cadets.
Mr Cox was then special guest at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington where he watched the Warwickshire Gang Show – a family-friendly variety show performed by members of the Scout and Guide movements from across the county.
Now in its 51st year, the annual event was performed by young people aged six to 25 and showcased plenty of music, vibrancy, movement, and fun.
The show is delivered entirely by volunteers and casts young people to help develop their performing skills, encourage teamwork, and increase their confidence.
This year the organisers of WAGS delivered the show in order to raise funds for Young Minds, a charity that helps young people with their mental health in the Warwickshire and Coventry area.
And Mr Cox also chaired the 26th Annual General Meeting of Young People First, who work towards a vision of ‘no young people limited by disadvantage’.
As President of this registered charity, Mr Cox discussed the importance of the charity’s work to help vulnerable young people, their families, and the wider community by delivering activities, creating opportunities, and providing support to help disadvantaged young people transition into a self-assured adulthood.
The event took place at Young People First’s Westbury Community Centre in Leamington and was attended by key members of the local community. Everyone had space to air their views and to hear about the charity’s strategy from Jo Squires, the new Chief Officer.
Mr Cox said: “It is a pleasure to meet the young people of Warwickshire and find out how we as individuals and as a community can deliver activities, create opportunities, and provide support to help young people fulfil their potential.
“In my role as Lord Lieutenant I continue to raise the profile of such inclusive and child friendly organisations, as they provide young people with great opportunities to understand and overcome their own problems so that they can learn how to succeed and help others in life.”
