AS the new year unfolds, what, I wonder, is in store for us all? With the pending and potentially momentous events such as the triggering of Brexit and the inauguration of a president who will possibly the most contentious world leader in history, the year ahead promises to be anything but dull. Regardless of the bigger world events we, as a community will do what we always do; the best we can, and carry on regardless.

Whatever the slings and arrows of fortune, we will be relying on the same stoic and unflappable input from those members of our community that help us maintain our way of life, those individuals and organisations who, come rain and shine, stand strong in order that we can have the safest and most positive opportunity possible in an ever-changing world.

It is important that we take the time to be grateful and show our appreciation whenever possible to all the under-valued members of our health, education, social, police, fire services and of course the voluntary sector, sewer workers, refuse collectors and the countless individuals who go unheralded while ensuring that our way of life is maintained.

Even local councillors and council workers who may sometimes appear to be acting in ways that don’t seem to benefit the community and sometimes appear to be more party political, than people-led, also deserve our gratitude. Can you imagine the hours they have to spend on our behalf wading through the mind-numbing bureaucratic treacle in order that a semblance of democracy is maintained?

Even though most of the bigger decisions are already made at a national level and determined by budgetary controls set by national government, local councillors still have to at least appear to be taking account of local residents' concerns and even though it is only paying lip service to consultation as decisions have often already been made, the local councillors still have to attend all the consultation events as if they were going to be able to act on the findings.

The youth service and youth provision debates/debacles played out very publicly in past years are examples of this and a common experience for anyone who took part in them from any side, will no doubt recall the whole episode with no small amount of frustration.

The sad fact is that young people, particularly those considered to be 'youth', have had a very raw deal from the various powers-that-be since time immemorial. If you take the time to trawl through the archives, youth have been treated more as pariahs than the inheritors of our society and the lack of value and funding that is put into their education, both academically and socially, is a constant missed opportunity and false economy.

It may be that the young people don’t really have a voice and are considered to be the least likely to cause any political problems, unlike the well-informed and motivated grey vote. However, the amount of what we at Kandu call 'negative' spend on such issues as the repairing of damaged property or more importantly damaged lives from the actions of a minority of disillusioned and disenfranchised young people, can be avoided by careful and positive investment in every aspect of a young person’s life and development – from their academic to social and economic wellbeing and potential.

In this way a lot of negativity and erosion of everyone’s quality of life can be avoided. Which is the more antisocial behaviour, a young person responding with anger and resentment to the realisation of the lack of value society places on them or a society that does not value or invest in their young people's future but will always find enough money to punish and imprison them?

Perhaps the new year will bring new respect for all and new opportunities and optimism in order that we, as a society, can optimise the potential we have and work towards a more cohesive community that respects and values all, regardless of the political weather.