Thousands of Plymouth youngsters make their mark

Over 9000 young people made their voices count at the weekend as they took part in the annual Make Your Mark campaign.

Make Your Mark is a UK-wide ballot which gives young people aged 11-18 the chance to decide what Members of  the Youth Parliament should debate and vote on.

A total of 9319 votes were cast by Plymouth’s young people all wanting to have their say about local and national issues. This is a huge improvement on last year when 4818 votes were cast. This is also a record achievement for the city since the make your mark campaign started.

The top five issues with the most votes will be debated in the House of commons on Friday 13 November, where Plymouth will be represented by UK youth parliament members Sarah Staples and Robin Willougby.

18 year old Sarah Staples from Ridgeway sixth form in Plympton said: “It's been amazing this year that so many young people felt inspired to have their say, it goes to show the young people of Plymouth care and it is time for their voices to be heard! Almost doubling last year’s results has been very exciting, and we couldn't have done it without great support from Plymouth Youth Services and our youth workers".

Over 60 young people and their youth workers attended Bishops Hull in Taunton on Saturday to present the figures for the South west, with a total of 84,000 votes cast.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young people and Public Health said: “I’d like to thank all of our secondary schools, colleges, youth clubs and youth projects in Plymouth who have supported this important piece of work. We know we wouldn’t have had such an amazing response with our their support so we would like to thank them for encouraging young people to have their say and vote for issues they felt were important.”

The registration process for young people wishing to stand in the elections for UK Youth Parliament in January 2016 has just opened and any young people who want to stand have until Friday 13 November to register.

For more information call or email jenny.way@plymouth.gov.uk 01752 307103.