30/12/2013 - Permalink

Young members of Parliament celebrate year of hard work and successes

Related topics: Community / Democracy / Health

Shropshire’s Young Members of Parliament (MYPs) got into the festive spirit recently at a celebratory event to mark their past year’s achievements.

The MYPs were joined by Shropshire’s Young Health Champions and some of the new MYP candidates on Tuesday 17 December 2013, to look back and celebrate the successful projects undertaken by young people over the last year.

Projects included the Young Persons Race for Life event, where over £1,200 was raised for Cancer Research UK.  MYPs were presented with the Youth On Board Inspiring Project award at a Parliamentary reception in London earlier in the month (December) as a result of their efforts in organising the successful event. 

Other projects and initiatives included:

  • Big Vote –  MYP’S collected almost 6000 votes as part of the national Big Vote.
  • A Question time event at Walford College – MYP’s invited local politician to discuss local issues.
  • Health and wellbeing work – creating a young people’s easy read version of health and wellbeing strategy
  • Health champion project –  training 300 young people in Shropshire to help shape local health services to  become more young people friendly as well develop youth led health projects.
  • Supporting young gay people at Shropshire’s first LGBT Carnival procession.
  • Stress Workshop for teachers –  MYP’s held a workshop to teachers  giving them ideas on how distress students before exams
  • Our Minds matter –  a de-stressing event for  90 young people held in October

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, also attended the event and presented the MYPs with an award for their successful parliamentary campaign.  David Parton, Rhys Hart, and Laura Sheldon received the award for collecting over 1000 votes each in the Big Vote ballots.  

Ann Hartley said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been part of the MYPs’ celebratory event, who have worked so hard over the last 12 months.  They have shown tremendous dedication and commitment to raise awareness and support around the issues that matter to young people in Shropshire and ensure they have a voice at a local and national level.”

The event gave the young people an opportunity to network and talk to other young people over a drink and mince pie and to join in some festive games and songs.

Joining the party was BBC Radio Shropshire’s Adam Green and Geoff the gnome, who broadcast the event live on the Adam and Vicky Show.

If you would like to know more about the work of Shropshire’s Young Members of Parliament or how to become a Young Health Champion contact Lorraine Warrender, MYP Support worker on 07582 002587 or email lorrraine.warrender@shropshire.gov.uk