To come along to a youth forum meeting or simply find out more, contact Vicki or Cathy (details below).
Youth Service Support Unit
Old Grammar School
High Street
Chipping Sodbury
South Gloucestershire
BS37 6AH
Emails: vicki.houselander@southglos.gov.uk or catherine.gane@southglos.gov.uk
Telephone 01454 865252 or text message to 07879694934
UK Youth Parliament (UKYP)
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) was launched in 1999 and is an exciting opportunity for young people aged 11-18 to get involved in democracy and decision-making at national and local levels. The UKYP aims to give the young people of the UK between the ages of 11 and 18 a voice which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies which have an interest in the views and needs of young people. Over 400 young people across the country are currently involved.
UKYP members throughout the UK meet once a year in the summer for a five-day residential course and they debate issues and draw up a manifesto. The representatives then go back to their areas and work on parts of the manifesto. There are also regular meetings of the south-west region, when the UKYP members share information on their work and work on regional campaigns.
For further information on UKYP activities in South Gloucestershire, visit the UKYP homepage.
Children in Care (CiC)
Children and Young People's Champion
South Gloucestershire Children and Young People now have a Champion.
Jamie-Leigh Smith was chosen following public nominations and an interview with the a panel of children and young people from South Gloucestershire.
Over the next year Jamie-Leigh will be visiting children and young peoples groups in South Gloucestershire to find out what’s important and what the main issues are. As Champion Jamie-Leigh has been invited to attend meetings with key decision-makers in the council to make sure these views are heard.
To make sure everyone gets a chance to have their say Children and Young People can email Jamie-Leigh on cypchampion@southglos.gov.uk
Jamie-Leigh says of her new role...
“It's an amazing feeling when you find out that you have made such an impression on a young person to be nominated for a role like this. I feel extremely honoured and hope that I can meet everyone's expectations for this role. I look forward to working with young people and getting their voices heard and their achievements recognised"
The Champion role was created after members of South Gloucestershire’s Youth Parliament discovered that other areas in the country had a ‘Champion’.
10 children and young people from across South Gloucestershire regularly met to develop the role, supported by Participation Workers from The Children’s Fund and The Youth Service. The group were involved in writing a role description and designing posters and a webpage to encourage children and young people in the county to nominate a Champion.
Jamie-Leigh Smith was nominated by Stephanie Suddel from Brimsham Green School following her role in South Gloucesteshire Peacefest 2007 an international camp held in Almondsbury attended by 150 young people from all over Europe. As the, then Chair of PIYE (Promoting International Youth Exchanges) Jamie-Leigh helped organise the event that Stephanie felt promoted an understanding of different cultures amongst young people. Stephanie also described Jamie-Leigh as reliable, funny and understanding.
Jamie-Leigh will be Champion for 1 year and will work alongside children and young people to give and encourage adults to listen to their views.