NEWS FEED
Poole’s Youth Parliament Member (MYP) Lili Donlon-Mansbridge and Deputy MYP Lowri Bradley have launched Make your Mark, an exciting new national initiative to give young people the chance to have their opinions heard.
Make Your Mark gives every young person in the UK the ability to get their voice heard, by voting for the issues they feel are the most important. The initiative was launched on 12 August nationally and allows Poole’s Young People the opportunity to vote through their schools, youth centres or online.
Make Your Mark was a key discussion point at the United Kingdom Youth Parliament 16th annual sitting at York University which took place at the end of July. Lili, along with Members of Youth Parliament from all over the UK spent the weekend debating motions to add to their national manifesto, as well as participating in workshops on the current national and devolved campaigns of Tackling Racism and Religious Prejudice, and Mental Health. During the weekend Poole’s MYP Lili Donlon-Mansbridge voted, along with members of the Youth Parliament from across the country, for their top 10 issues which will now be placed on this year’s Make Your Mark ballot paper. Following the voting, the top five issues across the country will then be debated by Members of Youth Parliament, including Lili, in the House of Commons on 11 November.
Lili said: “Make Your Mark is really important as it allows young people to have their say on issues that affect them. It ensures not only that young people’s opinions and concerns are heard but that they are taken seriously and acted upon, bringing about positive change. I was honoured to be able to represent the young people of Poole, voting for motions such as compulsory first aid for all, promoting positive body image and youth disability.”
Lili and Lowri are also running a local campaign around supporting young people whose parents are separating. They are running support sessions for young people to try to tackle the lack of support. Lowri Bradley, deputy member of the Youth Parliament for Poole is a keen advocate for this issue, she said: “I would encourage young people who are affected by this issue to attend the sessions because they provide a safe place for young people who are experiencing a difficult time within their family to have fun and receive support.”
To find out what your Youth Parliament members are up to and how you can have your say visit upinpoole.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @upinpoole.
