A Young Persons questionnaire was delivered to every household in the Parish (Buxted, High Hurstwood and Five Ash Down) in 2004 as part of the Parish Plan consultation. The results of the returned questionnaires completed by young people between the ages of  7 to 17 identified a need for more organised activities in all three villages and a voice for young people.

The Buxted Youth Council held its first meeting in November 2006 and it was decided to name the council ‘Next Step’   Ideas already put forward have included provision of a basketball facility, youth shelter/meeting place, tennis courts and provision of transport to activities in Uckfield, Brighton and beyond.

A concern raised at the first meeting was that of poor visibility during the winter months when walking home from the school bus drop off.  Next Step members decided that young people would be safer when out and about if they carried a torch with a built in personal alarm.  Next Step have now been able to order 50 torch/alarms to distribute with funding from Sussex Police Property Act Fund and Buxted Parish Council.

Next Step will decide which projects they feel should be adopted by the Parish Council  to improve facilities for younger people, and help in the design process. Next Step is open to any young person living in Buxted, Five Ash Down or High Hurstwood.  Meetings are held once a month.  The main requirement is that you have lots of good ideas!

If you would like to join please contact Michelle Warner, Buxted Parish Councillor: 01825 733210;  mobile.servicing@virgin.net