The June Somerset Youth Parliament meeting had a packed agenda, with updates on the work that the group has been doing, lots of member updates and we welcomed some new faces to the group. Let’s have a closer look at what happened in the meeting.
Welcome to Somerset Youth Parliament
We welcomed Toby as a new member of the Advisory Group, keep an eye out for updates from him over the coming months.
We also welcomed Rebecca Leggett, who works for the Somerset Safeguarding Partnership, she will be supporting the group as a volunteer.
Member Updates
Some of the members of the Advisory Group shared news and achievements from the past month.
Kieran – Kieran has been learning circus skills and trapeze for his part in a show that he’ll be taking part in. The training has pushed him out of his comfort zone, but it’s been exciting learning new skills.
Layla – Layla is aiming to apply for Head Girl or Prefect. Layla describes herself as ‘not perfect’, but she can represent young people ‘as one of them’ rather than someone who may struggle to relate to other student’s ‘real problems’. Sadly, the decision isn’t based on a democratic vote including students, but we think she’d be an excellent representative!
Archie – Archie has just competed again at the annual Long Jump Nationals competition and is starting to think about his future aspirations to study Physics at university abroad. Archie also attended the Engagement and Participation Team’s Creativity at County Hall to promote young people’s work and interests through over 40 pieces of art. These are currently on display at County hall, but will be shared around all of the Somerset Council offices. A virtual gallery of the artworks can be found here.
James – James has been representing Somerset Youth Parliament in his work supporting MP Gideon Amos to improve public transport in Taunton – considering sustainability, safety and costs. James has even helped cleaning up a bus shelter! This work is still in progress and James will be keeping members updated as it develops.
Toby – Toby has recently become the coach for the children’s All Stars Cricket team in Taunton.
Ruby – Ruby has been successfully mentoring her friend to improve her homework and study skills – and it’s working! We all need a friend like Ruby!
Zeph – Zeph is waiting patiently for his arm injury to heal before he can get back to his passion of motocross. Check out his article on myth busting motocross.
Noah – Noah recently enjoyed going to a local tractor rally! He has also had his first interesting meeting as a school representatives about improvements to toilet accessibility and canteen food.
Luca – Luca was pleased to launch his campaign survey about fake news and he’d like to hear from young people about their experiences with news to help him validate and inform his campaign actions. Take part in Luca’s survey here.
Representation and Privilege
Being an active, effective representative means understanding your own privilege, as well as how others perceive you and the assumptions we all have about each other. Members discussed assumptions about gender, male privilege and its implications. They also spoke about historical and cultural privileges that have been embedded into society. Discussions followed about:
- Medical science and research being based on male anatomy, assumptions about males being smarter – especially in science
- Many men are physically stronger than women so then it’s assumed that men are more dependable and trustworthy
- Autism is only really understood from a white male experience
- The rejection of early male birth control tablets due to side effects
- The stereotype of the working man being the ‘bread winner’, which still relegates many women by default to becoming victims of wage salary
- Despite recognition, modern complexities and intersectionality feminism is still mocked and considered to be aggressively ‘anti-male’
Members will be looking at some of the wider issues of privilege at our next meeting and about being proactive representatives.
Youth Parliament Group Updates
Some members of the group are looking forward to:
- Presenting to primary schools at this month’s Children’s Parliament Day event.
- Meeting the High Sherrif when dates are arranged
- Meeting to work on the Period Hygiene project to raise awareness of government funding available for schools
- A regional UK Youth Parliament regional meeting
- Meeting a Somerset Council Transport manager about rewriting/ writing policy regarding sustainability and lifestyle choices
- Preparing for our first full council meeting next month
Members of Youth Parliament Campaigns and National Updates
Blake and Luca have created surveys for the campaigns. These surveys are in circulation at the moment, so look out for them on this website and our social media channels. There surveys will help them move their campaigns forward and with their future actions.
Somerset Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) have the opportunity to attend the national UK Youth Parliament Annual Conference in August, a great chance for them to meet up with MYPs from across the country.
Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group Updates
Some members of the group are leading on changes to the structure and processes of Somerset Youth Parliament, with them taking more ownership over the planning, organising and running of the group. This will include the introduction of new roles and responsibilities, whilst ensuring democratic voting and decision making are in place. This will involve a process of reviewing current roles and responsibilities of members, as well as rewriting the terms of reference, etc.
Our next meeting will be in-person, in July. Why not come and join us?
