A Tycroes teenager has been re-elected to represent both Carmarthenshire and Wales as the Youth Parliament member for 2017/2018.

Alisha Gibbons, 16, was first elected in 2015 and this will be her third consecutive year in the role and will be amongst 24 members representing Wales in the House of Commons this November.

Along with the rest of the county council’s youth participation team, Alisha is urging young people across Carmarthenshire to make their mark by voting on issues which are important to them.

The Ysgol Bro Dinefwr pupil said: “I am excited and speechless that I was re-elected again this year.
“Due to an exams last year, I had to hand over the role to another member after being elected, but this year I am looking forward.
“The youth council are asking everyone aged between 11 and 18 to take part in the largest youth consultation across the UK.”

Last year over 978,216 young people took part in the national ballot that decided on which issues were debated by the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) at the sitting in the House of Commons. 
This year, the Make Your Mark campaign aims to get over 5,000 young people in Carmarthenshire to take part. 

They are being asked to choose a topic which will be debated by the UKYP, suggestions are: the school curriculum; voting at 16; protecting LGBT; support for young carers; transport; first aid for all young people; mental health; making the invisible visible; protecting school budgets; and the creation of work experience hubs. 

The ballot will run until October 6 and voting can be done online or via a paper ballot which is available from Carmarthenshire Youth Council. 
Ballot papers will also be sent to all secondary school councils and youth projects in to encourage every young person within the county to get involved and help spread the word.

Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for youth services, Cllr Glynog Davies said: “I would encourage all young people to make their voices heard regarding issues concerning them.
“The UK Youth Parliament has the power to influence government and put forward their views on subjects which matter to them.
“Carmarthenshire Youth Council is very active in championing causes their members care about, I would encourage more young people to get involved and help make a difference.”

Results of the Make Your Mark ballot will be announced on October 18 and members of the UKYP will come together in the House of Commons on Friday November 17.

To vote online, or for more information visit youthsirgar.org.uk