MID COPELAND Community Partnership wants to set up a youth group as part of its work with Nuclear Waste Services’ Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme.
If you’re between the ages of 16 and 25, live in Gosforth electoral ward and are interested in the future of the area and what a GDF could mean locally, then this opportunity is for you.
Come to a free event on February 18 at Muncaster Castle, where you can enjoy a unique team-building experience followed by lunch and discussion about GDF and the Partnership.
The Partnership has been engaging with people over the past few years to see whether a GDF could be right for the local area.
It would now like to set up a youth group, developing its youth work so far, to feed further views and feedback to the ongoing conversation.
This will also allow young people to gain extra skills, including teamworking, and enhance their knowledge.
Priority will be given to those who are living in Gosforth electoral ward – which is the GDF Search Area – and includes the Seascale, Gosforth, Beckermet, Calderbridge, Haile, Thornhill, Nethertown, Braystones and Wasdale areas.
The event is being supported by Inspira, which provides career guidance, skills development and employment support to young people and adults in Cumbria, and is also a member of the Partnership.
Andy Pratt, Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership Chair, said: “We want to build on the strong work we have already established in the area working with young people through our development of shaping a community vision.
“Creating a youth group to meet with the Partnership will take the youth voice to the next level in discussing and debating what they think a GDF could mean for them and their area, while feeding that into our programme of activities going forward.”
Transport to this initial event at Muncaster Castle will be provided for those who require this.
If you would like to take part, please scan the QR code below and complete the form by January 31.
A GDF is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of the most hazardous radioactive waste.
Deep geology beyond the coast is being considered for siting the underground elements of a GDF in Mid Copeland. This means a surface facility on, or near, the coast would provide access to a disposal area deep in rock beyond the coast.
The GDF programme requires both a suitable site and a willing community and is still in the early stages.
Construction will start on a GDF only when a suitable site is identified, a Potential Host Community has confirmed its willingness to host the facility through a Test of Public Support, and all the necessary consents and permits have been obtained. These steps could take around 15 years.