Thirty students from five schools in Rotherham took part in an exciting ‘Your Turn’ course that is part of the Common Purpose programme, designed to encourage young people to take a more active part in influencing change in our society.
The year 9 pupils, who were from Brinsworth Comprehensive School Academy Trust, Maltby Academy, Wath Comprehensive School, Wickersley School and Sports College and Winterhill School had the chance to interview Cllrs Mahroof Hussain and Dominic Beck about their journey into local politics.
Cllr Mahroof Hussain, Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equality and Young People’s Issues and Cllr Beck, Rotherham’s youngest ever councillor (aged 19) and Elected Member for Wales Ward, addressed the young people in the council chamber, explaining why it is important that young people get more involved in decision making in their local community and the ways they can do this.
There then followed an in-depth question and answer session when the young people questioned the councillors about what a difference they felt they had made in the community and asked their advice on getting involved in roles in public life.
Cllr Mahroof Hussain explains: “It is very important that young people feel they can influence change within their local community. It was very inspiring to see such an enthusiastic group of young people – many of whom I am sure have a very bright future ahead of them possibly in local politics. All local councils need young people with fresh new ideas and a different perspective to be coming through to ensure that our community is being fully represented. I hope this visit and the Your Turn programme has helped young people to spot opportunities for themselves where they could take up active roles, whether it be volunteering, community work or taking part in school or young people’s council.”
The young people also listened to presentations from members of the Voice and Influence team at Rotherham Council, including Lisa Du-Valle who talked about the importance of young people having their voices heard – and the different ways they could achieve this. She talked about how young people from Rotherham get involved in Youth Cabinet, Youth Forums and even the UK Youth Parliament, which reports in to national Government.
The visit to the town hall was part of an action-packed three day programme of activity for the students from the five schools, which included visiting Rotherham College of Arts & Technology, where the students studied who holds power in society and why. The group met business leaders and people in positions of power including Gordon Bridge, chairman of AESSEAL, Tom Waldron-Lynch, general manager of Hellaby Hall Hotel, as well as Alison Wilks, headteacher at Kings Oak Primary Learning Centre and Matthew Gladstone, assistant chief executive of Rotherham council.
The programme is compatible with the principles of One Town One Community, which encourages shared values, mutual understanding and working together as one whole community, regardless of background or life experiences.
For anyone who would like to find out more about the Your Turn course, contact Asim Munir on: 01709 822786, or visit the website: www.commonpurpose.org.uk.