Meet the candidates for Dorset's Youth Parliament

Voting is now open for school children in Dorset to elect two MYP members and two deputies. 

The role of the MYPs is to represent Dorset on a regional and national basis, and help engage young people in politics, democracy and citizenship. They will also work to deliver their own personal manifestos to improve the lives of young people in the county. 

The candidates range in age from 12 to 18, and come from schools across the county, including Christchurch, Sherborne, Wimborne Minster, Sturminster Newton, Portland, Weymouth and Dorchester.

Their six week campaign for votes began on December 18, and voting takes place in participating schools from January 29 to February 1. 

Deborah Croney, county council Cabinet member for education, learning and skills, said: “It’s inspiring to read the candidates’ manifestos which show the passion and enthusiasm they have for making life better for young people. I wish them every success in their campaigns and look forward to seeing who will be selected as our new MYPs.”

The election process is overseen by Dorset County Council. The counting of the votes takes place on February 2 and the results will be announced that evening. 

Here are the candidates: 

Adam Brocklesby, 12, Highcliffe School, Christchurch
1. Sports and extra-curricular activities should be free.
2. Public transports costs should be fairer for young people. 
3. I want to lower the voting age to 16.
Faith Trevorrow, 13, Beaminster School
1. I want to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. 
2. I will increase the amount of activities young people with disabilities access. 
3. I will raise awareness of invisible disabilities such as autism and dyslexia.

Faith Trevorrow, 13, Beaminster School

1. I want to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. 
2. I will increase the amount of activities young people with disabilities access. 
3. I will raise awareness of invisible disabilities such as autism and dyslexia.

Finlay Wyer, 12, St Osmunds CE Middle School, Dorchester

1. I want all young people to have a voice, especially those who haven’t been heard before. 
2. I will campaign against LGBT+ discrimination. 
3. I will campaign against cuts to mental health service budgets because they are already under-funded.

Isabella Garside, 13, St Marys CE, Puddletown

1. I want everyone to receive first aid training as this will save lives. 
2. I want every young person to be taught skills which prepare them for life. 
3. Young people should be able to receive more support. 

Kiri Mccracken, 12, St Marys CE, Puddletown

1. Young people should be taught Life Skills in School. 
2. Mental Health awareness and support. 
3. I think that all children in education should receive free transport.

Laurence Hayward, 15, Sturminster Newton High School

1. I want gender equality. I want us all to learn how to treat one another with respect to help and empower us all. 
2. I would like better ways for young people to deal with exam stress. 
3. I want all opinions to be heard, so I will fight for youth voice to be listened to.

Matthew Parslow, 15, Queen Elizabeth’s Upper School, Wimborne Minster

1. I want to empower young people to live with mental health issues through caring, accessible support. 
2. I want to prepare you for adult life through a carefully planned curriculum.
3. I want to enable you to have meaningful work experience. Specialised hubs can provide this!

Rory Baird, 18, The Gryphon School, Sherborne

1. I will increase the number of job opportunities for young people. 
2. I will raise awareness of post-18 options which don’t involve universities. 
3. I will make transport available more frequently and to more rural locations. 

Sophie Trott, 16, The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester

1. I will create a curriculum for life which prepares young people for the adult world. 2. I will equip young people with the vital life skills which they need. 
3. I will give students the tools to manage their own mental health through self-help and links to resources/services.

Stasia Smith, 14, Ferndown Upper School

1. I want everyone to have access to resources which will reduce exam stress. 
2. Students want to be treated like real people. I will champion student voice in Dorset. 
3. Young people should have accessible and frequent transport in Dorset. I will promise to help this to become possible.

Thomas Chambers, 12, St Marys CE, Puddletown

1. I want to reduce bullying across Dorset. 
2. I want to set up classes to help people to reduce their anxiety. 
3. I want there to be more specialist teachers to improve education.

Trevona Jolliffe, 16, Atlantic Academy, Portland 

1. I want young people to know that their voice matters. 
2. Because I am part of the LGBT community, I know the stress of not having somewhere to go. I would like all schools to create a safe space. 
3. I want all schools in Dorset to improve their PSHE curriculum. 

Tyler Richardson, 12, Budmouth College, Weymouth

1. I will increase the number of questionnaires so young people can have their voice heard and improvements to services made. 
2. I will help to reduce the amount of stress which young people experience. 
3. I will reduce the amount of bullying.