South Gloucestershire Children and Young People now have a Champion.
Jamie-Leigh Smith was chosen following public nominations and an interview with the a panel of children and young people from South Gloucestershire.
Background
The Champion role was created after members of South Gloucestershire’s Youth Parliament discovered that other areas in the country had a ‘Champion’.
10 children and young people from across South Gloucestershire regularly met to develop the role, supported by Participation Workers from The Children’s Fund and The Youth Service. The group were involved in writing a role description and designing posters and a webpage to encourage children and young people in the county to nominate a Champion.
Jamie-Leigh Smith was nominated by Stephanie Suddel from Brimsham Green School following her role in South Gloucesteshire Peacefest 2007 an international camp held in Almondsbury attended by 150 young people from all over Europe. As the, then Chair of PIYE (Promoting International Youth Exchanges) Jamie-Leigh helped organise the event that Stephanie felt promoted an understanding of different cultures amongst young people. Stephanie also described Jamie-Leigh as reliable, funny and understanding.
Jamie-Leigh will be Champion for 1 year and will work alongside children and young people to give and encourage adults to listen to their views.
What Jamie-Leigh says about her new role
“It's an amazing feeling when you find out that you have made such an impression on a young person to be nominated for a role like this. I feel extremely honoured and hope that I can meet everyone's expectations for this role. I look forward to working with young people and getting their voices heard and their achievements recognised".
What next?
Over the next year Jamie-Leigh will be visiting children and young peoples groups in South Gloucestershire to find out what’s important and what the main issues are. As Champion Jamie-Leigh has been invited to attend meetings with key decision-makers in the council to make sure these views are heard.
To make sure everyone gets a chance to have their say children and young people can email Jamie-Leigh at cypchampion@southglos.gov.uk