Call for green paper to define adulthood.

A leading figure in youth welfare has called for the youth green
paper to define when young people acquire the rights and
responsibilities of an adult.

Kevin Williams, national secretary of YMCA England, said different
laws currently treated young people as adults at different ages.

“There needs to be some coherence to it,” he said.

The youth green paper will be published in December and cover
recreation, personal advice and support. It will also outline
opportunities for volunteering and mentoring and give young people
a chance to have more of a say.

Williams said community centres could be more open to young people.
“Many of them that aren’t welcoming because it is assumed they will
damage them,” he said.