In North Lanarkshire, we place great importance on listening to the views of young people. We have enhanced the opportunity to engage in dialogue with young people within youth work by creating a youth voice infrastructure that is fit for purpose, sector-leading and inclusive for all young people in North Lanarkshire.

The current youth engagement infrastructure has nine town-based youth voice groups supported and facilitated by CLD youth workers. Each group is structured similarly, aiming to represent their local communities. They will work to a training- and action plan-based model to ensure that they are led by individual community priorities.

We are always looking for more young people to get involved. You can find out more on the Young Scot website or by emailing cld@northlan.gov.uk

Scottish Youth Parliament Elections 2024

Thousands of young people from across North Lanarkshire have participated in the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) Elections 2024, showcasing a positive engagement with democracy among youth in the area.

The results and successful candidates were announced at the @Home Youth Centre in Airdrie on 29 January. Despite an unforeseen delay due to technical issues with the country-wide voting system last year, the re-scheduled elections saw a strong turnout between 15 and 26 January.

Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to all the successful candidates and wish them well in their roles. It is wonderful to see our young people engaging in the political processes, and hopefully this will encourage greater active participation in the future.”

The successful candidates for each constituency are as follows:

• Airdrie and Shotts: Eshal Malik and Rhianna Hughes
• Coatbridge and Chryston: Karley Mooney and Mischa Brown
• Cumbernauld and Kilsyth: Shafa Waqas and Neve Macaulay
• Motherwell and Wishaw: Shiza Ali and Gemma Gordon
• Uddingston and Bellshill: Vacant

Successful candidate Shafa Waqas explained: "I feel so grateful to be elected as MSYP and I cannot wait to start working with my constituents to ensure young voices are actively listened to!"

Mischa Brown added: "This is the best opportunity I've ever had; it's given me more confidence and friends than I've had ever."

The event received support from various stakeholders including head teachers and representatives from candidate schools. The results evening was attended by senior council officers, Councillor Angela Campbell and Councillor Chris Costello, Children and Young Persons Champion.

For more information on the Scottish Youth Parliament, visit www.syp.org.uk