MEMBERS of Dorchester Youth Extra are celebrating 10 years of the group’s existence.

Young people aged between 13 and 18 met at their annual general meeting to elect the new committee of the year and mark the 10th anniversary of the volunteering group.

They were also awarded certificates for their contribution to the community of Dorchester.

Dorchester Youth Extra, which is currently made up of 11 members, was originally created when a group of young people came together to campaign for a skatepark.

Community developer officer for West Dorset District Council Emma Scott said: “This is the tenth anniversary of Dorchester Youth Extra.

“This must be one of the longest running youth forums in the country.”

She added: “Last year they ran lots of activities clocking up a very impressive total of 860 hours which equates to eight volunteers doing just over two hours a week volunteering every single week of the year.

“This is a figure which challenges the sometimes held view that young people are lazy and don’t contribute to their communities.”

Events run by the group last year included under 18s nights, ‘holiday hangouts’ for young people and the Anonymous music festival.

Forthcoming events include a community picnic in the Borough Gardens on July 24, and Anonymous Festival on August 27 at Maumbury Rings. Dorchester Youth Extra is also planning to carry out a transport survey. Adam Harris, 16, from Dorchester, was voted as this year’s new chairman.

He said: “A couple of my friends were involved in the group and it seemed like a good thing to do.”

He added: “I would urge other people in Dorchester to get involved because I won’t be here forever.”

Sue Bickle, equality and community development officer, said: “I am just impressed that Dorchester Youth Extra is still going after 10 years.

“It’s not like the older ones go off to university and that’s the end of it.

“It seems that the group really excels in recruiting new members.

“It’s amazing that it has the momentum to keep going.”

Last year the group’s total income was £23,400 which included funding from the West Dorset District Council, Poundbury Residents Association and Dorchester Town Council. To get involved call Emma Scott on 01305 252204 or email e.scott@westdorset-dc.gov.uk