UK Youth Parliament elections give young people the chance to take their futures into their own hands

EVERY February, young people from all around Dorset run to be elected as members, and deputy members of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).

Each candidate has a manifesto and a certain point that they would like to campaign on.

I interviewed one of this year's candidates, Sarah Trott, to get an insight into what the elections mean for thousands of young people all over Dorset. During the interview Sarah stressed how important these elections are.

She said ‘the elections give young people from all backgrounds the chance to take their futures into their own hands’.

This of course, is paramount in the development of youth services in Dorset, which is why the candidates have been campaigning to young people to use their voice and vote.

Methods such as school assemblies, social media posts and flyers or posters have all been used to promote these amazing and inspirational young people in their journey to become a member of Youth Parliament.

Sarah, whose manifesto is to reduce bullying for young people in schools, has already spoken at the Dorset Anti Bullying Conference, where her and her sister, Sophie Trott, ran workshops for young people, encouraging them to speak out against bullying.

This an issue that Sarah feels extremely passionate about, and if elected, Sarah would be able to take her campaign much further.

These elections are an amazing opportunity for everyone involved with them, so make sure young people vote from Monday, February 1st to Friday, February 5 2016. If you would like to hear more updates about the amazing work Sarah is doing, check out her twitter account, @sarahzsay, for regular updates.