Each year a Youth Convener is appointed to be a full-time voice for young people in Highland. The Youth Convener provides a consistent link for Elected Members and senior officials and represents the interests of all young people to the Highland Council and other key agencies.
The Youth Convener attends Highland Council and Community Partner meetings and has speaking rights on the Education Committee and other Council Committees. The Youth Convener works closely with young people across the Highlands through Highland Youth Parliament, Local Youth Forums, Pupil Councils and other youth groups.
Orla MacLeod took up the role of Highland Youth Convener in August 2023, becoming the 15th Youth Convener since 2007. This full-time role is a bursary position that will run for 12 months.
Orla shared:
“I am really excited to get started with what is such a unique and interesting role which allows me to be the full-time voice of Young People in the Highlands.
Over the course of the year, I’ll be representing their views to The Highland Council and other organisations and partners to allow these groups to incorporate Young People’s views into their work, and to ensure Young People have their voices heard in a meaningful way.
I plan to approach the issue of mental health in a way that recognises the long-term problems which cannot be immediately changed, and instead focuses on improving the way Young People access mental health services within the confines of current care provision. My goal for the year is to work on building Young People’s confidence in advocating for themselves when accessing support for their mental health.
Additionally, I plan to focus on LGBT+ issues – in particular, LGBT+ bullying which regrettably continues to present as a problem. I want to meet with groups of young LGBT+ people so that I can understand what more can be done on this issue and how they might be helped to cope with the effects of such bullying.
Ultimately, I am keen to hear from as many Young People as possible throughout the Highlands to ensure that I am representing their views as faithfully as possible. Having grown up in a rural area of the Highlands, I am really looking forward to tackling the challenges that may arise and of course, working with Young People to make the Highlands a supportive, inclusive and positive place for them to live in and to be proud to grow up in this incredible area.”
For more information please contact [email protected]
Twitter: @HighlandYC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HighlandYC
Instagram: @highlandyouthconvener