Every year we encourage and support young people in Carmarthenshire to take part in a national decision-making process. Make Your Mark is an opportunity for 11-18-year olds across the UK to have their say and begin their democratic journey by voting on the issues they want to change.
The results of Make Your Mark will influence hundreds of projects and campaigns led by and for young people across the UK!
Members of Youth Parliament and other young people in the community will campaign and research the most voted for topics, to influence the UK Parliament and their local representatives; ensuring that the views of young people are listened to by decision makers.
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR MARK!
Follow the link below to cast your vote and to make a difference!
Amber, 16 from Burry Port is our elected member of the UK Youth Parliament for 2019/20. Amber will be joining 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 2019. Amber will be amongst 24 members representing Wales at the event.
Ahead of the event Amber said “I’m so excited to be attending the House of Commons on the 8th November to represent both Carmarthenshire and Wales. It is an opportunity I could have only ever dreamed of so I am just so grateful to have been elected to do so.”
Amber led on the 2019 ‘Make Your Mark’ Ballot in Carmarthenshire, which is the largest youth consultation across the UK with over 800,000 young people taking part. Amber and her team encouraged more than 4,000 young people aged 11-18 years across Carmarthenshire to get involved and vote on the important issue that impact their lives.
In November, Amber and Members of the UK Youth Parliament
will come together to debate and decide at the UKYP House of Commons sitting
the most important issues to campaign on for the year ahead. The sitting will
mark the end of Parliament Week. The Make Your Mark Ballot
Results (Carmarthenshire and Wales Results can be found on page
26 – 27) were revealed in October.
The five issues to be debated at the Annual Sitting are:
1. PROTECT THE ENVIRNOMENT UK Issue – We have a responsibility to protect the environment from the effects of climate change for the next generation; and that the Government should look towards carbon neutral alternatives.
2. PUT AN END TO KNIFE CRIME Devolved issue – Too many young people’s lives are lost to knife crime; the Government need to do more to help end the knife crime epidemic.
3. MENTAL HEALTH Devolved issue – Services should be improved with young people’s help, and should be available in schools.
4. TACKLING HATE CRIME UK issue – We should be educated on how to report hate crime. We believe the Government should invest in creating safe spaces that promote unity in communities.
5. CURRICULUM TO PREPARE US FOR LIFE Devolved Issue – Schools should cover topics like finance, sex and relationship education and politics
Amber added “I’m looking forward to debating the top issues from Make Your Mark in the Houses of Commons and will ensure that the voice of over 3700 young people in Carmarthenshire will be heard up in Westminster. I would like to thank all the young people who did engage in Make Your Mark this year, an amazing effort was seen in Carmarthenshire! Thank you”
Tom, 14 from Llandyfan is our elected member of the UK Youth Parliament for 2018/19.
Tom led on the 2018 ‘Make Your Mark’ Ballot in Carmarthenshire, which is the largest youth consultation across the UK with 954,766 young people taking part. Tom and his team encouraged 5,076 young people aged 11-18 years across Carmarthenshire to get involved and vote on the important issue that impact their lives.
The Make Your Mark Ballot Results (page 30-31) were revealed in October and the results for Carmarthenshire were: • 1,035 votes •1,035 votes– Mental Health • 620 votes – Tackling Homelessness • 599 votes – A Curriculum to prepare us for life • 599 votes – Equal pay for Equal work • 595 votes – Put an end to knife crime
Tom joined members of the UKYP in the House of Commons on Friday 9th November to debate and decide on the most important issue to campaign on for 2019. Tom was amongst 24 members representing Wales at the event.
The 2 National Campaigns for 2018/19 voted on by the UKYP Members at the House of Commons Debate in November were: 1. To Put An End to Knife Crime 2. Votes at 16
On behalf of the Youth Council and the UKYP Tom has thanked all young people in Carmarthenshire that facilitated and took part in the Make Your Mark Ballot this year, the largest number of young people to vote in Make Your Mark since it began in 2011.
Tom said that “being a member of the UKYP has been the most amazing thing that has happened to me as a young person. It hasn’t only given me confidence and strength, but opportunities to meet people from all over the UK and hear their opinions that mean most to them. Votes at 16 campaign is a very special topic for many young people, as it gives us the voice and chance to help shape decisions that affect us most.”
It will ensure younger people are becoming politically active, and ensure they’re aware of the changing world and the decisions that can affect them.” He also added “A Curriculum for life is also a very important campaign as we, the younger generation need a curriculum that will prepare us for the busy world ahead of us. I’m very excited to be a part of, and see the work we have ahead of us, ensuring that we continue to provide the younger generation with a true voice.”
Alisha, 17 from Tycroes is our elected member of the UK Youth Parliament for 2017/18. Alisha led on the 2017 ‘Make Your Mark’ Ballot in Carmarthenshire, which is the largest youth consultation across the UK with 954,766 young people taking part. Alisha and her team encouraged 4,635 young people aged 11-18 years across Carmarthenshire to get involved and vote on the important issue that impact their lives.
The Make Your Mark Ballot Results (page 30-31) were revealed in October and the results for Carmarthenshire were:
661 votes – Work Experience hubs for 11-18 year olds
605 votes – Protect LGBT+ People
531 votes – Votes at 16
496 votes – First Aid Education for All Young People
Alisha joined members of the UKYP in the House of Commons on Friday 17th November to debate and decide on the most important issue to campaign on for 2018. Alisha was amongst 24 members representing Wales at the event
The 2 National Campaigns for 2017/18 voted on by the UKYP Members at the House of Commons Debate in November were A Curriculum to prepare us for life, and Votes at 16
On behalf of the Youth Council and the UKYP Alisha has thanked all young people in Carmarthenshire that facilitated and took part in the Make Youth Mark Ballot this year, the largest number of young people to vote in Make Your Mark since it began in 2011
Alisha said that “being a member of the UKYP has been the most amazing thing that has happened to me as a young person. It hasn’t only given me confidence and strength, but opportunities to meet people from all over the UK and hear their opinions that mean most to them. Votes at 16 campaign is a very special topic for many young people, as it gives us the voice and chance to help shape decisions that affect us most. It will ensure younger people are becoming politically active, and ensure they’re aware of the changing world and the decisions that can affect them.”
She also added “A Curriculum for life is also a very important campaign as we, the younger generation need a curriculum that will prepare us for the busy world ahead of us. I’m very excited to be a part of, and see the work we have ahead of us, ensuring that we continue to provide the younger generation with a true voice.”
Friday 26th January, saw Alisha and members of the UKYP Official Launch the National Campaigns as part of the National Day of Action. We, led by Alisha will be developing projects and initiatives to find out more about young people’s views and opinions on the two national issues. Such as School Council Debates, Consultation opportunities, raising awareness via social media and working with Senior Managers in Education about the Curriculum Reform taking place in Wales.
Over three days this weekend 16 year old Alisa Gibbons, Carmarthenshire’s elected UKYP (United Kingdom Youth Parliament) representative for 2017 will be staying at the university campus in Liverpool to take part in the Annual Sitting of the UKYP Youth Parliament.
During the Sitting Alisha, who is the representative of Carmarthenshire and Wales, will be putting up a strong case and fighting for Mental Health and Access to better Mental Health services for young people to be included within the top ten national issues to be put on the ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot form.
Make your Mark is the largest young people consultation in the UK and we will need your help and support to reach as many young people as possible across Carmarthenshire and the UK to get involved and have a say in this years ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot which will be launched on 12th August 2017.
Alisha, from Tycores said “I’m feeling enthusiastic and excited to be heading to Liverpool to try and get mental health on the 2017 MUM ballot papers. Mental health is an occurring issues that affect young people’s everyday lives. I strongly believe that mental health services for young people needs to be improved and every child and young person should have the right support when they need it!”
Taking part in the event will give Alisha the opportunity to meet up with and work with other members of the UKYP all aged 11-18 from across the country to make a difference for young people! She will be involved in workshops and debates to prepare her for the UKYP House Of Commons debate and vote in November to decide on which two issues from Make Your Mark will become the UKYP’s national campaigns for 2018.
MYP’s (members of Youth Parliament) will also have the privilege of listening to speeches made by political figures in addition to an opportunity of participating in a question and answer session.
Keep up to date with the conversation on our twitter and facebook or use #UKYP17
