Are you aged 11–19 years old and passionate about making your voice heard?
Whether you want to influence decisions in your school, community or even nationally, there are exciting ways to get involved through the UK Youth Parliament and Rochdale Youth Cabinet.
What is the UK Youth Parliament?
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) gives young people aged 11–19 the chance to be democratically elected as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs). Once elected, MYPs represent the views of young people locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally.
As an MYP, you’ll:
- Attend the annual UKYP conference and debate in the House of Commons.
- Take part in regional meetings and dialogue with ministers, including the Prime Minister.
- Help shape policy and programme development that affects young people
What Members of Youth Parliament do in the borough of Rochdale
Our MYPs:
- Speak up for young people across the borough.
- Work closely with the Children’s Champion and Youth Service to improve lives and services.
- Chair and attend Youth Council meetings and Youth Cabinet meetings.
- Represent the borough in Youthforia, the North West’s regional youth forum.
- Campaign on issues that matter to young people, from education to equality.
Meet our Members of Youth Parliament
Our MYPs for 2024-2026 are:
- Sarah Orakwue (MYP) – a student at Rochdale Sixth Form College. Passionate about justice and safety. Sarah’s manifesto points include stopping racism, being a voice for girls affected by sexual harassment and stopping knife crime.
- Hussain Malik (MYP) – a student at Falinge Park High School. Focused on community and education. Hussain’s manifesto points include showcasing our borough's strengths, building stronger communities and improving how students are assessed.
- Amelia Stewart (Deputy MYP) – from Middleton
- Benedicte Kapiamba (Deputy MYP) – from Rochdale
What is the Youth Cabinet?
The Youth Cabinet is a forum for young people aged 11–19 to:
- Discuss local issues
- Plan campaigns
- Influence council decisions
- Support the work of MYPs
Meetings are held every two weeks, usually from 6pm to 8pm, and take place at venues across the borough.
How to join
If you’re interested in joining the Youth Cabinet or want to stand as a future MYP, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch using the contact details on this page.
Why you should get involved
Joining the Youth Cabinet or standing for election as an MYP is a great way to:
- Build confidence and leadership skills
- Meet new people
- Make a real difference in your community
- Have your say on the issues that matter most to you