New Youth Parliament Members inaugurated at special ceremony

Four Norfolk teenagers have been inaugurated as the county's new Youth Parliament Members (YPMs) at a special ceremony at Norfolk County Council on Wednesday 27 April.

The new YPMs who competed against 26 other Norfolk candidates for their seats and will now spend two years in office. They are:

Sarah Barrett, 15, of Hethersett Academy - new YPM for Norwich and South Norfolk

Passionate about equality and environmental issues, Sarah campaigned for improving mental health support, encouraging plastic-free packaging and solar panels and improving support for those young people facing childhood poverty.

She said: "I'm very honoured to have been elected as the South Norfolk and Norwich Youth Parliament representative. I owe a huge thank you to everyone who voted for me. I look forward to being a voice for other 11-18 year olds and to tackle important issues we as a generation currently face."

Euan Duffield, 17, of East Norfolk Sixth Form - new YPM for North, Broadland and Great Yarmouth

Keen to affect change in the community, Euan campaigned to improve mental health education in schools, introduce five-minute breaks into hour-long lessons, and giving 16-year-olds the right to vote.

He said: I am very grateful for the youth of our area with trusting me with the responsibility of representing them and I am looking forward to delivering the changes promised to the young constituents of North, Broadland, and Great Yarmouth."

George Last, 17, of Athena Sixth Form College - new YPM for South West and Mid Norfolk

Dedicated and committed to supporting young people, George campaigned to improve awareness of the signs of mental health and removing the stigma of asking for help, attracting better quality apprenticeships, and giving 16-year-olds the right to vote.

He said: "I am honoured to have been chosen by the young people of West & Mid Norfolk to represent their views, I can't wait to get started."

Ewan Harris, 17, of Springwood Sixth Form - new YPM for North West Norfolk

An aspiring future politician, Ewan campaigned for more resources, activities and spaces for young people, better mental health services and voting rights for 16-year-olds.

He said: "As a Youth Parliament Member I hope to make positive change and improve things for young people in my area and beyond."

These winning candidates will get the chance to debate in the House of Commons and work with regional MPs and local Norfolk councillors.

Cllr Penny Carpenter, chairman of Norfolk County Council, said: " Many congratulations to the four winning candidates and many thanks to all who participated in the youth parliament elections and make your mark ballot this year." This is a brilliant chance for the winning candidates to get the experience of campaigning and representing the young people of Norfolk locally and nationally and I look forward to working with them and hearing their views."

A total of 11,955 votes were cast by 11 to 18-year-olds in Norfolk's YPM elections. Young people also had the chance to cast their votes in the Make Your Mark ballot, which asks them to vote for the issues most important to them from a list of options. This year health and wellbeing was voted as the most important issue to young people followed by jobs, money and opportunities and education and learning.