Amber 16 from Burry Port, Carmarthenshire’s elected United Kingdom Youth Parliament Member for 2019/20 represented Carmarthenshire and Wales at the Annual House Of Commons Debate in London. Amber joined members of the UKYP in the House of Commons on Friday 8th November to debate and decide on the most important issue to campaign on for 2020, taken from the Make Your Mark 2019 Ballot, where over 4,100 young pepe from across the county used their vote.

The 2 Campaigns for 2019/2020 voted on by the UKYP Members at the House of Commons Debate in November were:
• Put an end to knife crime – Devolved issue
• Protect the Environment – UK Issue

Amber said “It has been such a privilege to be a UKYP member for 2019-20 and it has been an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have gained so many valuable skills such as public speaking, debating and team work that I’m sure will benefit me greatly as I progress throughout life. Being a UKYP member has allowed me to meet so many amazing young people from all cross the UK and I have built friendships that hopefully will last a long time. Attending the House of Commons was truly unforgettable, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in London for the UKYP annual debate!”

Amber was amongst 24 members representing Wales at the event. Taking part in the debate gave Amber the opportunity to meet up with and work with other members of the UKYP aged 11-18 years old from across the country to make a difference for young people. Over the coming months Amber, with members of the Council will be working hard on the two main issues.

We are very excited to be invited to celebrate 30 years of the UNCRC on 20th November in Cardiff. This will be an opportunity for us to learn from a showcase of Children’s Rights work in Wales. We have also been preparing our stand, ready to share with others the work Carmarthenshire Youth Council have been involved in over the past year to demonstrate how we promote the right to be heard and our views acknowledged in Carmarthenshire.

There will be round table discussions and we will have a chance to meet and speak to practitioners and policy makers including First Minister Mark Drakeford, Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health & Social Services and Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales. We will also have a chance to participate in interactive workshops to learn more about the work of UNICEF’s Rights respecting schools. In addition, we’ll learn more about the National Participation Standards and meet the recently recruited National Team of Kitemark Inspectors! We’ll have a say on the issues and problems that matter to us globally and personally as every child and young person has a right to be heard – which is one of the most important articles which we stand by.

Tom and Patrycja are set to become National Young Inspectors. Young Wales have recruited and will be training a National Team of Kitemark Inspectors. The National Children and Young People’s Participation Standards identify Seven Standards that all adults should be aware of when working with and engaging with children and young people in Wales;

1. INFORMATION
2. IT’S YOUR CHOICE
3. NO DISCRIMINATION
4. RESPECT
5. YOU GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT
6. FEEDBACK
7. WORKING BETTER FOR YOU

These Standards help measure and promote the participation of children and young people in making decisions, planning and reviewing any action that will affect them.

Tom and Patrycja joined young people from across Wales in Wrexham in October and will attend training sessions on becoming a National Young Inspector throughout the year and they will have the opportunity to inspect organisations and services against the Standards. The Standards help organisations to measure and improve the quality of the process of children and young people’s participation.

Tom said that “being a National Young Kitemark Inspector is a great honour. I am one of the first 20 Inspectors in Wales and I hope to better many organisations in terms of the participation of children and young people. I can’t wait to get started”

We are over the moon, after a rigorous selection process it has been announced that we have been shortlisted for three Welsh Government Youth Work Excellence Awards

Almost 25 years since the first Youth Work Excellence Awards were launched in Wales to recognise and celebrate outstanding youth work projects, youth workers and those involved in youth work across Wales. We are so excited to share that we have been nominated and shortlisted for the following categories;

• Carmarthenshire Youth Council – Outstanding Youth Work Project: Promoting Young People’s Rights
• Amber Treharne – Outstanding Individual: Making a Difference
• Sarah Powell – Outstanding Individual: Outstanding Youth Worker

Our Chairperson Brittany said “I am extremely proud of all members of the youth council for being shortlisted for the Award for our work promoting Childrens Rights and striving to ensure young people are listened to. By being shortlisted, hopefully the Youth Council can promote the excellent work we do on a wider scale and more young people will have their voices heard. I’m delighted that I will be one of the young people who will be up in North Wales at the ceremony on behalf of the youth council.”

Talking about being shortlisted for the Outstanding Individual: Making a Difference Award, Amber said “It was really exciting to find out that I have been shortlisted. It’s the enthusiasm of other young people highlighting issues important to them such as Period Poverty, Real Learning 4 Real Life and Brexit that has pushed me to meet with decisions makers to  make a difference, without it I wouldn’t have been able to achieve as much as I have”

Sarah Powell, Senior Participation and Children’s Rights Officer said “It’s a great pleasure to find that I’ve been shortlisted for an award. Being a Youth Worker for over 20 years, supporting young people to make a really difference to their own lives and the lives of others is an extremely enjoyable experience and I feel really grateful to be recognised for just doing something I love. If it wasn’t for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of the young people then the nomination would not have been possible, being shortlisted is a tribute to them” 

The winners will be announced on Friday 28 June 2019 at a prestigious Youth Work Excellence Awards Ceremony held in the Quay Hotel, Deganwy. This is an annual event that provides youth workers and young people with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and impacts of youth work.  The Award Ceremony brings a weeklong celebration of Youth Work to an end as part of Youth Work Week in Wales which takes place between June 23 and June 30 2019.

Brittany also added “we would like to thank everyone involved with our work, the continued opportunities and support given to young people and the help and encouragement we receive to contribute and truly get involved! Our fingers are crossed ready for the ceremony at the end of June”

Free sanitary products are being given to schools, colleges and youth projects across Carmarthenshire as part of our new campaign to tackle period poverty.