2010-11 Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) held an evening event at Chequers Bridge Centre, Gloucester to celebrate and share their achievements throughout the year to audience of invited guests, family and friends.

MYPs reflected on their achievements, particularly in relation to their three key priorities for the year: Transport; Positive Activities for Young People and Road Safety. In addition, they shared what being part of the Youth Parliament had meant to them and the personal skills and development they had gained along the way.

(Unfortunately, Craig Price (former MYP Gloucester/Forest) was unable to attend the event).

Each of the MYPs contributed their own personal reflection within their individual speeches, talking of the highlights during the year, how they had worked with the other members as part of a team and what it had meant to work with some of the partners and of course, how important representing the voices of other young people had been.

Martin Horwood MP also contributed to the presentation to share how the partnerships between MYPs and MPs in Gloucestershire has developed and how that partnership is valued.

Following the presentation MYPs were presented with a certificate to mark their contribution and congratulated on obtaining the Gloucestershire Award Plus, Duke of Edinburgh Service Section and Asdan Citizenship Award, along with collectively completing over 1200 hours voluntary contribution to representing others (not including travel time).

Due to the Government spending review and implications for Gloucestershire, some months ago it was decided to postpone the Elections 11 process and reduce the 2011-12 MYPs to MYPs only (no Deputies would be appointed).

Current MYPs were given the opportunity to continue and after much discussion, two of them agreed to do so, for others due to age, school commitments etc it was not possible. This was fantastic, but left a vacancy within one of the constituency areas and therefore like in any situation when an MYP stands down early, we looked to the person who came third in the last election process. Therefore it is great to announce the MYPs for 2011-12 are:

Eleanor Gillett, MYP Cheltenham/Tewkesbury (former DepMYP);
Yahya Pandor, MYP Gloucester/Forest (former DepMYP); and
Tessa Barrett, MYP Cotswolds/Stroud.

The newly elected MYPs are going to have a fantastic year representing the voices of young people across the county that will not only be challenging, but fun.

• Login or register to post comments