The next Welsh Youth Parliament election campaign was launched during the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Montgomery, with registering to vote opening and the issues survey going live.
What's been going on since then?
It is now possible for anyone aged between 11-17 to apply to stand as a candidate in the election.
Applications will close on 30 September, so, if you are a young person who is passionate about what is happening in your local area and in Wales, remember to put your application in.
The Senedd's Education and Youth Engagement team have been busy visiting Schools, Colleges and Youth Groups across Wales promoting the forthcoming election and encouraging young people to get involved by asking them to consider standing as a candidate, registering to vote and sharing the issues that matter most to them – what they would like to see the next Welsh Youth Parliament take into consideration.
During a visit to Haverfordwest High School, Finn Sinclair, a former member of the Welsh Youth Parliament, gave pupils a taste of what it's like to be a Member of the Youth Parliament and all the opportunities available – including meeting young people across Wales and collaborating on worthwhile campaigns; making links with the press, politicians and ministers with campaigners in Welsh civil society. He also talked about his experience meeting the King.
We chatted to a group of young people who were on the Children in Wales residential course at the Urdd Llangrannog Camp and discussed the importance of using your voice when discussing the issues that matter to the young people of Wales.
With the support of the Outreach Education Team, Leola Roberts-Biggs, former Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Alyn and Deeside, gave an inspirational speech as part of the opening of the Flintshire Schools Pride event. We also ran a Welsh Youth Parliament information stand encouraging pupils from across Flintshire to take part in the upcoming election.
Amber recently hosted sessions on what is the Welsh Youth Parliament with young carers at YMCA, sparked enthusiasm at Ysgol John the Baptist in Aberdare with the help of Senedd Member Vikki Howells, and attended a careers fair at Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Celynnog in search of the next Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament.
Cerys Harts, a former member of the Youth Parliament representing the Young Farmers Clubs of Wales came to our stand during the recent Royal Welsh Show, to encourage others to stand up to give a platform to the voices of rural and agricultural young people.
Do you know an enthusiastic young person, who is passionate about what matters to them – there is still time for you to arrange for one of the team to visit your School, College or Youth Group. Email us – hello@youthparliament.wales
Who will be the next Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament? Go for it!