YMT: UK was asked to present selections from Missing Melanie as part of a special event at the House of Commons hosted by MPs Alan Keen and Helen Southworth to raise awareness of missing and runaway children. The performance took place in Portcullis House which is the new building across the road from Big Ben and which now houses the offices of MPs.

SECOND READING OF RUNAWAYS BILL OFFERS HOPE TO 100,000 UK RUNAWAYS

Warrington South MP Helen Southworth’s Private Members Bill, entitled Safeguarding Runaway and Missing Children Bill, received its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday 23 February 2007. The Bill aims to offer badly needed support for the 100,000 children under 16 who run away from home or care each year.

Ms Southworth, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Runaway and Missing Children, has worked closely with a coalition of charities who work with young runaways, including, The Children’s Society, National Missing Persons Helpline, The Railway Children and Barnardos.
 
The proposed bill has received substantial Parliamentary support. Over 150 MPs have signed the EDM (number 866) tabled Wednesday 8 February calling for Parliamentary time for full consideration of the bill. It’s a clear indication that there is strong political desire and Parliamentary support for protection for young runaways in the UK.

Research carried out by The Children’s Society*, revealed that most children run away because of problems at home, with girls age 14 -15 the group most likely to run.  Runaways employ dangerous tactics to survive with one in six sleeping rough and one in twelve hurt or harmed.  Whilst most don't run far from home, many end up sofa surfing and sleeping in stranger’s houses.

To bring the issue of running away to life, Youth Music Theatre: UK performed extracts from “Missing Melanie” - a musical about a girl who runs away just before the start of the school term.

The event, organised by the APPG for Runaway and Missing Children, was opened by theShaun Woodward MP, the Minister for Creativity and, after the performance, the  Rt. Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, spoke eloquetly in favour of the theme and thanked the young people for their contribution. The event offered MPs and opinion makers a chance to meet young runaways and for young people to raise their voice in Parliament.