HUNDREDS of young people in Darlington have signed up to a mobile phone messaging service, launched in response to a damning report on the town's youth service last year.
The TextVibe scheme came into operation a year ago today, and allows young people to receive information about events, and offers them the chance to have their say about life in Darlington.
The borough council youth service was rated as inadequate in every area in a report last year by Government inspectors from Ofsted.
In response to that, an extra £340,000 was invested in the borough's youth provision, and several schemes and projects - including TextVibe - were launched.
One year on, it has been hailed as a success.
So far, the service has been used to let its members know about music and sports events and activities during the school holidays.
Messages were also sent out about this year's UK Youth Parliament elections, which were the town's most popular.
Other organisations including bereavement counselling and homeless charity First Stop Darlington have also used TextVibe to let people know about their services.
To register for TextVibe, collect a form from the youth service at the Town Hall, the Dolphin Centre or at any council-run youth club. The service is free, although replies sent by members are charged at the normal text rate.
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