Teenagers in Leicestershire are being urged to make their voices heard by taking part in the country’s biggest ballot of young people
The council is encouraging young people aged 11-18 to choose which issues matter most to them by taking part in the annual ‘Make your Mark’ campaign.
Members of Leicestershire’s Youth Parliament are hoping to see a repeat of the success of last year.
Leicestershire had its best ever turnout in 2017 with 15,887 young people casting their vote.
Young people choose their top issues from a shortlist to decide what the UK Youth Parliament should debate on in the House of Commons, and what will be the focus for its campaign in 2019.
This is a great opportunity for 11 to 18-year-olds to voice their opinions on the matters that affect them.
“In Leicestershire we saw our best ever Make Your Mark turnout last year showing the appetite among the young people of Leicestershire to have their voices heard, so we hope this year is even more successful.
Person:Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council
This year topics on the shortlist are mental health, end period poverty, votes at 16 put an end to knife crime, curriculum for life, support for youth services, equal pay for equal work, tackling homelessness, public transport and welcome refugees
Kira Lewis, a member of the Procedures Group, which coordinates the UK Youth Parliament added: “Make Your Mark gives decision makers a direct insight into the priorities of young people living in the UK and I hope many will take action once young people have had their say!”
Voting can be run up until the deadline of noon on October 10.
View more information on the registered schools and colleges as well as the option to cast your own vote.
Note to Editors
The UK Youth Parliament is managed by the British Youth Council, a youth-led charity which aims to empower young people across the UK to have a say and be heard.
In 2017 15,887 young people from Leicestershire cast their vote, around 25 per cent of the 62,838 able to vote. This was in comparison to the previous most successful campaign which saw 13,218 or 21 per cent cast their vote.