Often young people can be made to feel that there voices aren’t heard, seen as important or that they just don’t have a say in the things that impact them. Eva, on of our new Somerset Members of Youth Parliament has a lot to say on this subject, and we are here for it.
Hi, I’m Eva and I’ve recently been elected as a Somerset Member of Youth Parliament. I’ll take up my seat of office in April and will run my two-year campaign on Better Sports & Activities for Schools and Colleges
Too often when young people speak up, we are told to wait our turn. We’re told that we are “too young to understand” or that our opinions will matter “one day”. But that day Is NOW!
Young people are affected every day by decisions about education, transport, sports, mental health support, climate change and the cost of living. These decisions shape our futures, yet our voices are not always taken seriously.
Being listened to should not depend on age. Good ideas do not come with an age limit.
Many young people care deeply about our communities. We volunteer, take part in sport, campaign and speak up because we want positive change.
For me, and many others in Somerset, sports play a huge role in our health and wellbeing, helping us stay active, building confidence and like many other topics of interest or priority issues for young people we are passionate and vocal about what should and could be improved. Yet despite this, youth voices are often treated as a “nice extra” instead of an important part of decision making.
Listening to young people doesn’t mean agreeing with us all the time. It means showing us respect. We bring fresh ideas, honesty and creative qualities that are needed more than ever in politics and in our communities.
If decision makers truly want to build a better future, they must include the people who will live the longest.
Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow. We are the people of today as well.
All we ask is to be listened to properly, respectfully and consistently
I’d love to know what you think, and I look forwarding to representing you and your ideas. Get in touch if you want to know more!
Eva
Not just elected members
Did you know that Somerset Youth Parliament isn’t just it’s elected members? Any young person in Somerset aged 10-25 years can become a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group.
For more information about becoming a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group and to join, visit our Join Us page.
