YOUNG journalists are taking on the tricky issues in a new youth magazine.

The monthly journal, called #iDare, is written by a team of nine young people aged from their early teens to their mid-20s.

Launched last Friday, the project is the brainchild of Old Town businesswoman Sadie Sharp, who organises Apprentice-style scheme the Platform Project, setting young people tasks and pairing them with mentors in a bid to boost skills.

Written and edited by the young staff, at the request of the teens the magazine will tackle harder-to-discuss issues. Sadie said: “They’ve done everything from videos to podcasts to written articles on all subjects from self-harm to anxiety.”

Chloe Butler, 20, said of joining the project: “It looked like fun and I thought people need to know about autism. I’m autistic and I thought not many people knew about it or understood me and others with autism.” The young woman, who organised the magazine launch party at the Milton Road offices of Green Labyrinth on Friday, wrote in #iDare about the challenges of growing up with the condition.

“It was a lonely time growing up,” she wrote. “But after my diagnosis at 15 things became a bit easier because – finally – I had a reason to explain why I felt the way I did and the difficulties I’d faced.”

Aspiring social media executive Lucas Gleed, 16, was attracted to the idea of working on a magazine. The New College student said: “It’s something that I have wanted to do for a while, but I haven’t had the opportunity to do it before.”

The magazine is funded by a £5,000 grant from the Wiltshire Community Foundation. Trustee Sue Webber described the young people’s stories as mind-blowing, praising the way the young writers had taken on challenging issues.

For more, visit: www.idare.blog.