Our Executive Board Members. Pictured left to right: Sam Kwan – Treasurer, Zach Davis – Communications Officer, Magda Smith – Chairperson, Toby Bithray – Vice Chair and Evie Somers – Secretary
We are excited to be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 10th April 2025 in the Chambers at County Hall, Carmarthen at 5:00pm.
We have had a busy year, and we are looking forward to our AGM. The meeting gives us the chance to look back at the work we’ve been involved in and the positive achievements we have made over the last twelve months. Once again, this year we are fortunate to have the support of decision makers, managers and elected members form Carmarthenshire County Council attending our meeting.
Amongst the issues the Youth Council have worked on and the projects they are proud of are the creation and official launch of the Never Silence The Violence Docudrama; highlighting the need for real life lessons in our schools as part of their Our Voice, Our Vote, Our Future project; involvement in the recruitment and selection of staff. Also, new for this year, they have enrolled on Volunteens, a project delivered by Foothold Cymru that acknowledged their commitment and volunteering time to as Youth Councillors.
We are pleased to welcome Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Children’s Services to officially open our 2025 meeting, along with the support of Cllr Glynog Davies Executive Board Member for Education and Children who will be addressing the meeting.
Our Chairperson Magda Smith, 18 from Pentregwenlais said “being part of Carmarthenshire Youth Council has been an incredible experience, and this AGM is a chance to recognise the dedication of our members. Seeing young people shaping change is inspiring, and I’m grateful for everyone’s contributions over the past 12 months. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Youth Council building on our successes in the coming year.”
For more info or if you have any questions, you can contact us by CLICK HERE!
Last summer our Secretary Evie was elected as the Member of UK Youth Parliament (MYP) for Carmarthenshire and will be representing the County at the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) Annual Sitting being held at the House of Commons, London on Friday 28th February 2025.
Evie said “Being given the opportunity to represent your peers, your peers’ experiences and their voices is one of the greatest honours. When I have conversations and interactions with my constituents, I feel so lucky and appreciative to be in my position”
MYP’s are 11 to 18 years old and represent the views of their peers on a UK wide level and Evie will have this position for a two-year term. Evie and over 300 other MYP’s from all parts of the UK will travel to Westminster to debate and vote on issues that matters to young people.
The UKYP provides opportunities for young people to bring about social change through meaningful representation. It is overseen by the National Youth Agency and Evie’s involvement is supported locally by Carmarthenshire County Councils Youth Support Service.
Presided over by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Members of the Youth Parliament will take part in five debates, the subjects for which were voted for by young people across the UK. MYP’s will prioritise two out of five debated subjects for the UK Youth Parliament national campaigns.
The 5 issues to be debated in the Annual Sitting are:
★VOTING (UK issue) 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote in all elections and referendums, accompanied with more political education throughout school.
★ MINIMUM WAGE (UK issue) The National Minimum Wage for every worker under 22 be raised in order to match the National Living Wage for those over 22.
★TRANSPORT (Devolved issue) All public transport should be free for young people.
★ POLITICAL EDUCATION (Devolved issue) All young people in the UK must have access to a standardised level of political literacy and democratic education to improve engagement in politics on a local, national and international level to develop critical thinking skills.
★ PERIOD DIGNITY (Devolved issue) To establish period dignity, there should be free, accessible, good quality period products available in public spaces for everyone.
Evie said that “since being elected, the past five months have been both exciting, in the case of meeting with and getting to know regional MYPs from Wales, and to an extent, overwhelming. For example, attending the Annual Conference in October 2024 was my first time meeting MYPs from across the UK, and in two days we made our entire manifesto. Situations like those tend to remind me of my elected duties and my accountability to the young people of Carmarthenshire.”
Evie is looking forward to the Annual Sitting, she feels it is her elected duty to protect young people’s voices no matter what, and believes young people offer what can often be a very valuable perspective on issues adults cannot; all young people in Carmarthenshire will be at the forefront of her mind during this prestigious event.
Here’s how to stay up to date or follow the action as it happens;
Here’s how to stay up to date or follow the action as it happens; ★WATCH : The UK Youth Parliament Annual Sitting in the House of Commons on Friday, the 28th of February will be shown live on Parliament TV and Parliament TV Social Media. You can watch live by clicking here!
★CONVERSATION: You can keep up to date with Evie’s Day by following #CarmsHoC25 on social media.
★VISIT: For more information on the UKYP you can visit their website by clicking here www.nya.org.uk/ukyp
Our Annual General Meeting or AGM for short is a way that we as Young People are able to show, say and celebrate the work, projects and the positive achievements that we have had as a Youth Council over the last year.
ELECTIONS
During the evening, we were treated to inspiring speeches from our talented members who had put their names forward as candidates. The speeches gave us an insight into the skills, qualities and experience each candidate would bring to the role, helping us making the decision on who we would vote for in our Elections.
All the young people at our AGM took part in the Elections. The votes were in, the final count took place… it was a nail-biter and a very closely fought Election.
The Official Results of the 10 April 2024 Election of Carmarthenshire Youth Councils Executive Board are:
★ Chairperson – Magda Smith ★ Vice Chairperson – Toby Bithray ★ Secretary – Evie Somers ★ Treasurer – Sam Kwan ★ Communications Officer – Zach Davis
We are grateful to all our members who stepped forward to stand as candidates and give speeches, well done! We welcome our newly elected Executive Board with excitement and look forward to the next two years. Congratulations!
Magda, our newly appoint Chairperson said “ I am so grateful to have the votes and trust of my fellow Youth Council members, in my 2 year term as Chair I aim to support all young people in Carmarthenshire the way I have been, I want to help their ideas flourish, give them all every opportunity, and push their voices above and beyond while supporting them in every way they need. The future I see is the young people of Carmarthenshire paving the way for the next generation with their ideas leading the way.”
It was a very busy and full meeting held in County Hall, Carmarthen on Wednesday 10th April 2024 and once again, this year we were fortunate to have the support of decision makers, managers, elected members form Carmarthenshire County Council and guests from Schools and national organisations attending our meeting.
OUR SUCCESSES
Over the last 12 months we have been involved in a variety of projects, here are just a few of our highlights: ★ Our Voice, Our Vote, Our Future ★ Never Silence the Violence DocuDrama ★ Young Wales ★ Welsh Youth Parliament ★ UKYP ★ Rights Together Conference ★ Summer Camp ★ Youth Symposium, Messines Belgium ★ Consultations and Campaigns
SUPPORT
We were pleased have the support of County Council Executive Board Members, Decision Makers and Managers from the County Council. We welcomed Gareth Morgans, Director of Education and Children’s Services to officially open our 2024 meeting, along with the support from County Council Leader Cllr. Darren Price who also addressed the meeting.
GETTING INVOVLED
If you are interested in joining us on Carmarthenshire Youth Council or would like to find out more about us then please reach out and contact us by clicking HERE.
We are excited to share “Our Voice, Our Vote, Our Future“… Our BIGGEST Youth Consultation! Have your say on what is important to you! This is your chance to directly impact the future of Carmarthenshire. The top issue voted for, will become the focus of our projects and campaigns, ensuring your voices are heard and acted upon.
Take a look at the TOP 10 ISSUES that made it onto the ballot paper…. and don’t forget to use your VOTE!
The TOP 10 ISSUES
Improving Mental Health Awareness in Schools Promote mental well-being with additional well-being days and expanding opportunities for more extracurricular activities
Stop Body Shaming End body shaming and raise awareness of its harmful impact on young individuals
Stop Anti-social Behaviour Engaging with and creating more community spaces for young people. Educate more people about anti-social behaviour
Stop Vaping/Smoking Limit access and make vapes less appealing for young people
Teach First Aid in Schools Expansion on basic first aid by learning more life-saving techniques to save more lives
More outdoor lessons in Schools Encourage greater outdoor engagement. Discover, grow, and learn where your food comes from.
Stop Bullying More safeguarding and education for bullying of all kinds
The state of school and lack of funding Increase funding for schools to improve their quality, giving young people a better learning experience
More Opportunities for Young People More open days, apprenticeships and work experience for young people
Teach real life lessons in school Beyond textbooks: Teach skills that launch life (finance, careers, CVs)
Our member Thomas Vaughan-Jones, 19 of Llandyfan recently represented Wales and the UK in the Island of Ireland Peace Park: Youth Symposium held in Belgium.
The Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines, Belgium recalls the shared sacrifice of those from the island of Ireland from all political and religious traditions who fought and died in World War One. A Peace Pledge, written 25 years ago, is on display in the central circle of the Peace Park.
As the Park marks its 25th anniversary, this year, Tom was one of fifteen young adults who were invited by Youth Bank International, and run by members from Corymeela, to create a new Modern Peace Pledge that reflects their priorities at the event that took place between the 9th and 13th November, 2023.
During his time in Messsines, Tom had the opportunity to meet with other young adults from across the world, from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ukraine and other home nations. Together they explored opinions and experiences of conflict, peace, harmony and justice. It was very interesting for Tom to hear the stories and history of others cultures and nations while also sharing his own experiences.
Over the five days Tom contributed to reviewing the Peace Pledge and collaboratively creating a new Modern Peace Pledge which was presented on Saturday 11th November at a formal ceremony at the Island of Ireland Peace Park. Tom also took part in a tour of battlefields and met with Major of Messines.
Tom said “I had a really fun experience that I will never forget. I have made new connections with young people from all around the world, and hope that our important work over these five days will not be forgotten. I’m really thankful for this opportunity, and hope to take part in similar projects like this one in the future”
Sarah Jones, Senior Participation Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council said “This five-day programme empowered and inspired Tom and other young minds to explore conflict and building peace in global and local context. It was a fantastic opportunity and we are grateful to Youth Bank International for making the experience possible.”
