Evie Somers, 17 years old from Carmarthen has some exciting news, she’s just been selected by the UK Parliament and National Youth Agency to join the UK Youth Select Committee (YSC) for the 2025/26 term.
Evie has been part of the Carmarthenshire Youth Council for the past two years, passionately voicing the concerns and ideas of local young people. Now, she’s about to represent Carmarthenshire and Wales on the national stage, becoming the first young person from Carmarthenshire ever chosen for this prestigious role.
The Youth Select Committee is a parliamentary initiative that allows young people aged 14-19 from different regions around the UK to scrutinize and hold inquiries on important topics, young people a voice in matters that affect them. The committee investigates various issues, such as mental health, education, climate change, and even the impact of social media on youth violence.
The Youth Select Committee mirrors the processes of a House of Commons Select Committee and is made up of 12 young people. Members will gather evidence from various sources including academics, government officials and experts before producing a report with recommendations straight to government.
Evie, who’s proudly representing both Carmarthenshire and Wales, attended her first online meeting earlier this week and will take her seat in the UK Parliament in London this September for the committee’s first in-person session.
She shared: “I would like to thank the UK Parliament and the National Youth Agency for my selection. Having been selected as Wales’ only representative on this unique committee, I promise to place Welsh interests at the very front of my work. During my tenure, I aim to combine a grassroots commitment to Wales with consistent and unwavering national representation.”
Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Glynog Davies said: “We are incredibly proud to see Evie represent Carmarthenshire and Wales on such an important national platform. Her dedication and passion for youth issues are truly inspiring. This opportunity not only highlights Evie’s commitment but also shines a spotlight on the valuable contributions young people from our community can make to shaping policies that affect them. We look forward to supporting her as she takes on this significant role.”
We are incredibly proud of Evie, being the first young person from Carmarthenshire to be selected is a remarkable achievement. Being selected isn’t just a major achievement, it’s also a huge opportunity to grow, connect, and influence the issues that affect all of us. This opportunity promises fantastic experiences ahead for her, and we look forward to continuing to support Evie and wishing her every success!
Keep an eye out for updates on our social media accounts @YouthSirGâr where we’ll be sharing highlights from Evie’s journey with the Youth Select Committee!
