08
Jan
Ripon Grammar School pupil seeks UK Youth Parliament seat
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A Ripon Grammar School student is hoping to win a seat on the nation's youth parliament.
Sarah Jayan, 16, has hopes of improving the lives of young people across North Yorkshire by securing a place on the UK Youth Parliament, which was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for young people to have a say in parliamentary processes.
Sarah’s interest in politics sparked during covid, but her school said she became particularly "galvanised" by young Nepalese people whose demonstrations helped to overthrow the country's government last year.
Sarah, who is from Ripon, said:
It was inspiring to see how people our age stood up for themselves, united in the same belief, and made me realise the significant lack of youth voices in this country.
Sarah has been shortlisted as a candidate for the west area of North Yorkshire. The final UK Youth Parliament sees more than 300 people aged 11 to 19 elected.
Newly elected members of the UK Youth Parliament will meet with MPs and local councillors, as well as help to organise events, run campaigns and hold debates to put forward views of the nation’s young people.
Sarah is particularly keen on creating more social spaces for young people locally and improving commutes to school.
Sarah, who hopes to study computer science after completing her A-Levels, said:
I’ve talked to students about how crowded the school commute gets when children of all ages are moving in the same area, with so many primary and high schools being close together.
A lot of pupils feel scared or lonely to walk home alone, especially in winter. Implementing systems like buddy walking makes it feel less intimidating and will also put parents’ minds at ease.
Fair costs, dependable schedules and practical connections are essential for independence and opportunity.
Under Sarah’s manifesto, she also hopes to support people struggling to decide what to do after their GCSEs. She said:
Every young person should understand their next steps, not fear them. Clear guidance, real exposure to careers, apprenticeships and educational pathways help us make informed choices. When opportunities are visible and accessible, confidence grows — and with it, ambition. Every young person deserves to feel equipped to take the next step in their journey.
Voting for the UK Youth Parliament begins mid-January and will run until the end of February.
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