Well, I have mixed feelings about this one.
20,000 young people between the ages of 9 and 12 are piloting a new government scheme which hopes to encourage participation in 'positive activities'.
Youngsters who receive free school meals or who are in care, will be given 'up to £40 a month to spend on activities of their choice (such as to the theatre, sports, music, dance, drama and outdoor pursuits) and so be put in the driving seat in shaping what is available to them locally.'
The pilots are expected to test different ways of extending the same opportunities to all. I really don't know about this. Call me old fashioned but my sixpence (6d.) a week pocket money had to be saved up until I could afford to go out and spend it on positive activities. Even the 6d. could be withheld if I stepped too far out of line. I don't know anyone on my estate who went to the theatre, but I do remember being envious of a friend whose parents managed to buy her private ice skating lessons every week!
Please don't misunderstand me, I wish these youngsters well; they deserve all the breaks they can get, its just that I have a problem with paying young people to participate in positive activities, when they would probably rather have positive role models, experience positive parenting and have a positive home life to return too.
Read the full article
Sure Start quiz answer:
Local authorities started managing
the funding of the children's centres
in April 2006.
What do you think?
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What do you mean, 6d.?
6d. was part of the old currently known as 'pounds, shillings and pence or £.s.d. In the run up to decimalisation in 1971, we were taught that 6d. was equivalent 2 and a half new pence.The sixpence was withdrawn in June 1980.
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