Last month the Somerset Youth Parliament,  the Somerset in Care and Leaving Care Councils (SiCC and SLCC) got together for a day to explore Trauma Informed Practice with workers from the Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (SSCP).

The group reflected on Trauma Informed Practice, what it is and the implications for children, young people and practitioners. They also considered why our partners – the Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset Council and Public Health have adopted the practice to improve outcomes for local people.

The group were outstanding as they managed to express the potential power of Trauma Informed Practice, sharing their experiences, observations and principles with openness and sincerity, to reflect on how important empathetic, respectful ways of building trusting relationships resonate and that when we feel valued, heard and respected, we’re more able to work together to make positive sustainable changes in our lives.

The young people’s voices were recorded by SSCP to help create an informative film promoting Trauma Informed Practice at the core of all of our services. The completed film will be introduced by one of the young people who were involved in its creation at the SSCP Forum week in June.

You can find more information on the  Somerset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership website.

Ellie Bealing – Member of Somerset Youth Parliament – Young People – Strong, Healthy Lives

This month I have been planning my campaign, I’ve drafted a timeline for the next two years and I’m beginning to research and network by reaching out to influential and knowledgeable young people’s representatives around healthy ideas towards food and school meals. These representatives have included elected members involved with the Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA) and Peterborough’s Member of Youth Parliament, who gave inspirational and insightful speeches last year around the topic.

I’m exploring views on how food is discussed and taken on board so far from national evidence before I begin to address the concerns for Somerset.

From there, I’ll be looking at local organisations around positive behaviours and liaising with Somerset Youth Forum to address the findings. My intention is to produce resources to go on social media and on websites to give some guidance to young people, represent them on platforms and alongside relevant services and decision-makers to improve education, inspire young people and improve their choices and access to healthy, balanced lives. Young people need support to feel good about themselves, confident and happy.

You can read more at Ellie’s Young People – Strong, Healthy Lives campaign.

Emma Brown – Member of Somerset Youth Parliament – Young People and Social Media

Hi! Its Emma, one of the MYPs for Somerset, this month has been so busy! I’ve started to line up my research to support my campaign on social media and the impact on mental health and safety I’ve been looking into the charities which could be available for young people – and specifically around funding and capacity to support. This will inform my countywide survey which I am planning to release for the new school year.

Over my time as an elected member, I’ve also taken part in Somerset Youth Forum sessions and have recently joined the steering group for the ‘Help! My friend has asked me’ project, which will focus on how to support friends who are struggling. If you’re a young person interested in joining the Forum, or if you just want more information, email participationmailbox@somerset.gov.uk

Josh Lancaster – Deputy Member of Somerset Youth Parliament

I’m coming to the end of my time at college and preparing for university, which has been challenging, but I’m looking forward to it! As the Deputy Member of Somerset Youth Parliament, I’ll continue to be active along with the other forums I’m part of – the Unstoppables and Somerset Youth Forum. Mental Health in schools and how this may contribute to school attendance is a focus across all of the youth voice groups at the moment.

There are several aspects of Ellie’s campaign which can impact massively on young people’s health, dignity and ability to make the most out of their education – cost, physical and mental health, choice and resilience. I aim to help Ellie make sense of these issues and break them down in order to identify ways to improve outcomes for young people in schools.

In support of Ellie’s campaign, I’ve become aware of student complaints about school meals not being cooked properly, or that menu items are unavailable when students get to the canteen, even when they’ve been ordered in advance and paid for. When raised with school, staff don’t seem to care or want to take responsibility. Food is often expensive for paying students, which can affect their choices – and whether or not they go for a healthier option.