Two Solihull students elected to represent views of children and young people at UK Youth Parliament

Following the recent UK Youth Parliament elections, two Solihull students have been elected to represent children and young people’s views and ideas at a national level.

Mason Rogers, 16, a student at Smiths Wood Sports College was elected as Member and Kawoon Bik, 11, a student at Yew Tree Primary School was elected as his Deputy.

Elections were held in local schools in February and around 5,000 students voted.

For the first time, a primary school acted as a polling station to enable eligible Year 6 students to vote.

Mason and Kawoon will be campaigning to raise awareness of mental health issues experienced by young people and the difficulties that may be faced during the transition process between primary and secondary school and on leaving secondary school.

They will work with elected members, council officers and other agencies to raise awareness of these issues. They will also be working with other young people and children through Solihull Youth Council and its network to ensure that their campaigns reflect as wide a range of views and ideas as possible.

Mason and Kawoon will then take these views and ideas forward to the UK Youth parliament annual sitting in July and a debate in House of Commons later in the year.

Councillor Ken Meeson, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, said: “I’d like to congratulate Mason and Kawoon on being elected to the UK Youth Parliament. I’m also delighted to see that so many students turned out to vote in the elections.

“I look forward to meeting Mason and Kawoon, hearing about their plans and seeing what we can do together to make their plans become a reality.”

Both Mason and Kawoon thanked young people for voting for them. Mason, an anti-bullying ambassador at his school, said: “I am passionate about support for young people with mental health issues and want to make a difference while I am an MYP.”

Kawoon, a member of his school council, said: “I want to be involved in shaping a better future for young people in Solihull especially during transition times.”

For more information about UKYP or Solihull Youth Council, please contact the Engage Service on 0121 709 7000.

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/2028/UK-Youth-Parliament-election-results-announced