Member Article

First anniversary for youth text messaging service

A mobile text service which allows young people in Darlington to receive information about events in their area is celebrating its first anniversary today. TextVibe was launched by Darlington Borough Council Leisure, Arts and Youth Services on June 1 2005.Over 2,000 young people have so far signed up, receiving messages about events around the Borough, including music and sports events and activities during the school holidays. Messages were also sent out about this year’s Youth MP elections which were the town’s most popular ever.Other organisations such as bereavement counselling and First Stop Darlington have also used Textvibe to let young people know about the services they provide. As well as an information service, TextVibe was set up as a way for young people to have their say on issues that affect them by texting questions to which they can reply.Chris McEwan, Darlington Council Cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “Many young people have mobile phones so Textvibe is an excellent way to communicate with them and, more importantly find out their views on important subjects. I hope more young people take this first birthday as an opportunity to see for themselves what TextVibe has to offer.“Registration forms for TextVibe are available at the Youth Service at the Town Hall, the Dolphin Centre or at any council-run youth club in the Darlington Borough. The TextVibe service is free to join and no charges are made to receive texts.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .