LAST year I joined the Broxtowe Youth Council. This is a group that enables young people from across the community to express their views and opinions on local matters.

Before I joined this group I hadn't really thought about my local community.

I hadn't ever thought about how it worked or considered my roles and responsibilities as a young person.

Being part of the Broxtowe Youth Council made me think more about how I could help my local community.

This newfound interest and willingness encouraged me to put myself forward for the position of Broxtowe Youth Mayor.

I was elected in 2010 and will be in office until later this year.

Being Broxtowe Youth Mayor has given me an insight into the "adult world".

It has made me want to give back something to my community. It's made me want to volunteer and help others less fortunate than myself. It has made me realise that, even as a teenager or young person, there are things you can you do make a difference.

I've had the chance to speak at council meetings, attend civic engagements and get involved in various consultation forums on youth provision – things I had no idea even existed just a year ago.

The opportunity for me to engage myself positively in my community has not only developed my skills and knowledge, but has changed my outlook on life.

Despite the common stereotype of young people, I know that the vast majority of us are giving back to our community in many different ways.

But still thousands more could benefit from the opportunity to get themselves involved.

This can only happen if these opportunities are made available and the sometimes negative attitudes towards young people change.

Volunteering, local clubs and intergenerational projects are all a step in the right direction in creating opportunities for us young people to have a positive impact on all our futures.

The younger generation of today is the older generation of tomorrow and we need to be given the chance to learn how to build the society of the future.