Giving young people a voice

Since being elected to Parliament in 2005, Natascha has made giving young people a voice – both in the constituency and in Westminster – a priority.

National and local newspapers perpetuate the negative stereotype of young people and make it very hard to promote positive images and highlight the fantastic work and achievement of our young people.

In 2006, Natascha became a Trustee of the UK Youth Parliament, an organisation with which she still works very closely. She has always had a strong working relationship with her local Members of the UK Youth Parliament. Natascha joined the UK Youth Parliament’s campaign to lower the voting age to 16 and for statutory sex and relationship education at school. To read an article on votes at 16 written by Natascha click here.

Natascha worked hard to ensure that the UK Youth Parliament could have its historic annual sitting in the House of Commons chamber on 30 October 2009. Click here to see footage.

More recently Natascha was elected to Chair the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs. This group brings together MPs from all political parties together with young people from all over the country and a vast range of organisations such as YMCA/YWCA, British Youth Council, Foyer, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

At previous meetings with Ministers, young people have voiced their concerns about benefits and learning as well as access to services and discrimination against young people.

If you are a young person and what to get involved give Natascha a call on 01246 439018 or if you want to know what is going on in Derbyshire visit the School Matters magazine site, which is written by young people. If you are interested in working with young people then visit the Children and Young People Now site.