Young people – “you can make a difference”

Are you aged between 11 and 25?

Do you feel more could be done to ensure young people have their views taken seriously, and represented?

Do you think you could help change your local area for the better, but wouldn’t know where to start?

Have you ever considered putting yourself forward as way of making sure more young people are heard?

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Senedd yr Ifanc, Wrexham’s Youth Parliament, is looking for more members.

You don’t already have to be politically involved, on a school council or anything similar to join Senedd yr Ifanc.

All you need is the drive to represent young people in politics, and politics among young people.

Governments – at the local, devolved and national level – are always going to have important and complex changes lined up; but sometimes, the views of young people and how they can be affected by these changes aren’t taken into consideration.

Senedd yr Ifanc is there to make sure young people have a place at the debating table when it comes to the big changes which could affect the rest of their lives.

“The more representation we get, the better”

We at news.wrexham.gov.uk had the chance to speak to members of Senedd yr Ifanc at one of their meetings.

Toby Jones, Chair of Senedd yr Ifanc, explained the group’s role and what it does to help young people have their voices heard.

Recent work by Senedd yr Ifanc has involved responding to consultation set out by Wrexham Council on behalf of young people in the area, and speaking directly to councillors and council staff on issues such as mental health support, bullying and inequality.

Toby said: “Our aim is to give the young people of Wrexham a voice.

“Politics and Parliament can be seen as things that aren’t for young people, but they can involve things that matter to everybody in the local area.

“The more representation we can get, the better.”

Amy Lloyd, another member of Senedd yr Ifanc, added: “We’ve been able to see the end results of the changes we’ve been able to make.  And we’ve seen those changes happen in such a short amount of time.

“Young people might think that they can’t vote, so how can they make a change?

“It’s not just about voting – it’s about involvement.”

“Ensures young people are aware of public affairs”

Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, said: “Senedd yr Ifanc does a lot of incredible work when it comes to putting across the views and opinions of young people, and also in ensuring young people are aware of what’s going on in terms of public affairs locally.

“Anyone who might be interested in taking on a role at Senedd yr Ifanc should certainly get in touch.”

If you are interested in joining the Senedd or would like any further information please call 01978 317961.

Alternatively, e-mail youngvoices@wrexham.gov.uk.

You can also use social media to get in touch, via the “senedd yr ifanc” Facebook page or through @wrexhamsenedd on Twitter.

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