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PLYMOUTH MANIFESTO2016-17

Produced by Plymouth’s Members and Deputy Members of Youth Parliament and Members of Youth Cabinet

Produced by Plymouth’s Members / Deputy Members of UK Youth Parliament and

Plymouth Youth Cabinet

Zena Al-Sadoun Charlotte Barrett Daniel Michaels Casey McGinty

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The UK Youth Parliament enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better. 369 Members of Youth Parliament have been elected to represent young people aged 11-18 across the UK.

The UK Youth Parliament’s NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS for 2016 are:

DON’T HATE, EDUCATE – Working together to combat racism and religious discrimination

MENTAL HEALTH – Services should be improved with young people’s help. Mental health education should be compulsory and challenge stereotypes

Plymouth has two Members and two Deputy Members of Youth Parliament who were elected in January 2016. Elections were held in secondary schools across Plymouth and over 4890 young people voted for their new representatives.

In 2016, Plymouth’s Members and Deputy Members of Youth Parliament, along with young people from Plymouth Youth Cabinet, will be supporting these national campaigns and taking action in Plymouth to address issues from their individual manifestos. They aim to represent the views and concerns of all young people across Plymouth, we would like to be able to attend schools and youth projects to discuss our campaigns in more details, get in touch if you would like to meet with us.

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Foreword by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Dr John Mahony

"I am delighted to be asked to help promote the work of the Youth Parliament.

I have always believed that involvement of young people in community affairs and in campaigning for issues that affect them cannot start too early and the Youth Parliament is an ideal forum for this to happen. My involvement with politics began when I was 14, but sadly long before any such organisation existed for discussion and exchange of ideas.

I recently saw the 1946 film The Way We Live about the planning of the rebuilding of the City of Plymouth and there was a credit to the young people of the day who had supported the vision of the radical scheme against opposition from other quarters.

I wish you all well for the future and in your campaigns, such as improving access to mental health services. I am sure there will be vigorous discussions in many school settings and in your parliament meetings”

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Charlotte Barrett – Member of Youth Parliament Age 15 Plymouth Studio School

Votes at 16 Better mental health services for young people Fairer funding for Plymouth

I want votes for 16 and 17 year olds so they have a voice in the future of this country. 1 in 3 people suffer mental health issues and people need to be aware of this. I think that teachers should be given training to help students who have mental health problems, and support should be provided at home. Plymouth is a beautiful city and it deserves equal funding to give better opportunities for the youth – this will help create groups and support for students with mental health issues. I hope to work with Councillors and other relevant people to help me reach my goals.

@char_barrett_

Zena Al-Sadoun – Member of Youth Parliament Age 17 Coombe Dean School

Better work experience opportunities Life skills to be taught in schools

I believe that young people should be prepared as best as possible for their future. In my campaign manifesto I promised to improve work experience and job opportunities for the youth of Plymouth.

One way I plan on doing this is by creating a system which encourages schools to employ their own students for various roles outside of school. Furthermore, I will also attempt to raise the awareness of the importance of life skills being taught in schools and organise workshops.

@Zena4MYP

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Casey McGinty – Deputy Member of Youth ParliamentAge 15 Brook Green School

Support for young carers Better understanding of the issues they face Alternative qualifications for young carer

I believe that teachers do not always understand what a Young Carer does, and how that can affect their revision and attendance.

I want there to be Young Carers support in all schools. I will find out which schools have this support already, and encourage them to improve this. I will spend the year getting people to understand what it’s like to be a Young Carer.

@kcMYP

Daniel Michaels – Deputy Member of Youth Parliament Age 15 Heles School

Better mental health services for young people Reduced waiting lists

One in Four people will experience mental health problems this year alone; I believe that we should do something about this.

Throughout this year I plan on working to reduce the length of time that young people are on a waiting list to access mental health services, largely by helping young people to influence new plans for sufficient support within secondary schools, as this would lay off the burden of mental health services, whose staff are overworked, the main factor as to why people cannot be seen when they need to be. Furthermore I plan on raising awareness about mental health and tackling the stigma around it, no one should feel embarrassed or ashamed.

@DanielDMYP

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Plymouth Youth Cabinet is a group of young people aged 11-18 who want to make a difference in their local area. They represent the views of other young people. They work on campaigns throughout the year, organise and attend events, and support the work of the Members of Youth Parliament.

Youth Cabinet are available for consultation on any issues which affect young people in Plymouth, for example: improving the local environment, youth services provision, health services, transport and discrimination.

Currently, Youth Cabinet has over 20 active members who represent two thirds of Plymouth’s secondary schools and provisions. We always welcome new young people between the ages of 11 and 18 to join the group and help make changes for the young people of Plymouth.

For more information, please contact: Jenny Way, Professional Youth Worker 01752 307102 / 07788 325057 or email UKYP@plymouth.gov.uk

Youth Cabinet