Are you passionate about standing up for young people in your communities? Would you like
to learn or improve your:
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Confidence
Organisation
Public Speaking
Debating
Social Media
Campaigning
Why not be a voice of young people in your local area and stand to become a Member of
Youth Parliament (MYP)?
What is the UK Youth Parliament?
UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is an independent national
body which is run for young people by young people.
There are hundreds of MYPs across the UK that
represent views of young people in their local
communities. By acting together, UKYP gives young
people a powerful voice that is heard by decision
makers in local and national government and helps
young people to use their passion and energy to change
the world for the better.
You don’t need to have much knowledge on politics to stand in the elections. The most
important thing is to feel passionate about standing up for young people in Norfolk.
In Norfolk, our current MYPs have worked closely with Norfolk County Council officers and
councillors to improve services for young people. In October 2015, MYPs asked young
people what was most important to them, the top 5 issues voted by young people in Norfolk
are:
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5.
Everyone aged 16 or over should be paid the Living Wage
A curriculum to prepare us for life
Improve mental health services and raise awareness
Transport
Combating Racism and Religious Discrimination
These issues will be the focus of the Youth Parliament until October 2016
There are 9 MYPs in Norfolk representing each Constituency who are elected to serve for 2
years. They find out the issues that affect young people through a variety of ways; from using
social media, talking to peers and going in to schools within their community.
As a Member of Youth Parliament, you can:
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Meet as a group once a month to discuss your local
campaigns
Talk and consult with councillors and professionals over
the most important issues to young people
Enhance your knowledge on the decisions being made
about young people in a relaxed, informal setting
Attend regional UKYP events in London
Talk on radio stations and TV about the most important
issues for young people
Comment on issues relevant to young people in the press
Raise issues on behalf of other young people with MPs
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Attend the annual get together of MYPs from across the county to debate important
issues
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Debate within the House of Commons Chamber chaired by the speaker himself, John
Bercow MP
Voting
In the 2014 Youth Parliament Elections in Norfolk, a total of
37,679 11 to 18 year olds voted. This is believed to be one
of the highest numbers in any election in the youth
parliament’s history. In terms of turnout, 48% of Norfolk’s 11
to 18-year-olds cast their vote, which was a higher
percentage turnout than the 32% who voted in the 2013
county council elections. We are looking to beat this number!
How can you vote? Well it’s simple! Voting runs from 12am
Monday 14 March 2016 all the way until midnight on Sunday 20 March 2016. During this
week you can vote for the candidate of your choice via a FREE TEXT VOTE!
Stand For Election
To stand for election, you must complete the candidate application form attached to this
document or go online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/youthparliament. To be eligible to stand, you
must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years.
Please print off the application form (or fill in the one attached if the case), complete and
send back to the details on the application form by Monday 15 February at 5pm. After you
have submitted your form, we will send you an email you to confirm that we have received it.
Welcome event
We are holding a special welcome event for candidates on Saturday 13 February 1pm-4pm
at The Curve, inside The Forum in Norwich. It’s an important chance to find more about
Norfolk Youth Parliament, prepare for the election and meet the current group in the Youth
Parliament. Please keep this date free.
The UKYP in Norfolk will be coordinated by Norfolk County Council. Ben Dunne and Kieren
Buxton will support the MYPs. Once elected, MYPs will attend an introduction day where
they will learn more about the UKYP and their roles as MYPs.
Candidate application form
If you have any questions about the UKYP or need any help completing this form please
contact:
Ben Dunne, Consultation and Involvement Officer
Tel. 01603 495102, Email: [email protected]
Name
Address
Postcode
Home Phone
No.
Email Address
Mobile
Date Of Birth
(DD/MM/YY)
School Name
School Address
Postcode
Telephone
Number
In no more than 150 words, please tell us why you think you would make a good Member of
Youth Parliament and the difference you would like to make.
The next two pages are for your parent or carer to complete – you must give us a contact
number for use in emergencies. Please send your completed application form to: Ben Dunne,
Norfolk County Council, South Wing, Ground Floor, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich
NR1 2DH.
Parent or carers full name: ……………………..…………………………………………………………….
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..
………………………………………………………………………. Postcode……………………………….
Home phone number ………………………… Mobile phone number ………….…………………………
Work phone number..…………………………
Your child’s medical history and dietary requirements
Please give details of:
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any recent illnesses or contact with any infectious disease within the last month
allergies to be avoided (e.g. medicines, food, drink, bee stings)
other information which you feel might be useful for the leader to be aware of (e.g. phobias,
epilepsy, hyperventilation, diabetes)
any restrictions on diet (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, diabetic)
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….……………………………………….
………………………………………………………….…………………………….…………………
Please give names and dosages of any medications being taken (These must be handed to the
visit leader):
………………………………………………………….…………………………….…………………
Has your child received a tetanus injection in the last five years?
Yes
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No
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Doctor’s name, address and telephone number:
………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….…
………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….…
Do you agree to the above named young person receiving pain-relieving medication when
appropriate (one dosage of paracetamol only)? Yes, I agree  K No, I do not agree 
Photography
During the course of the project there may be opportunities to publicise some of the activities that the
young people are involved in. This may well involve filming or photographing young people for use in
the local media; we welcome these opportunities and hope that you do too. There may also be
occasions when we arrange photography for our own purposes, such as displays, our website, social
media and publicity brochures.
Photography or filming will only take place with the permission of the adult responsible for each young
person and under their supervision. Young people will only be named if there is a particular reason to
do so (e.g. they have completed a specific activity or achieved an award). Home addresses or contact
details will never be given out.
I understand that images may be taken of the above named young person as follows:
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By the local media in covering programme activities that show the programme and young
people in a positive light (participating in activities, sports, prize-givings, etc).
By photographers acting on behalf of the programme for use in displays and publicity material.
(Images will be used for a maximum of 2 years and will then be destroyed.)
Having read the statement above, do you
give your consent for photographs or
other images to be taken and used?
(please tick the appropriate box)
YES, I give my consent for pictures to be
taken and used
NO, I do not give my consent for pictures
to be taken and used
N.B. There may be other circumstances, falling outside the normal day to day activities of Norfolk
County Council, in which pictures of young people are requested. We recognise that in such
circumstances specific consent from parent or guardian will be required before we can permit
photography or filming of young people.
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I confirm that I have parental/carer responsibility for this young person.
I am willing for my child to take part in the above project, and having read all the information
provided, I agree to his/her taking part in the activities involved.
I fully understand that, while the supervisory adults in charge of the group will take all
reasonable care of the young people, neither they, nor Norfolk County Council, can
necessarily be held liable in respect of loss or damage to property or injury suffered by my
child arising out of the educational visit/journey, unless such loss, damage or injury results
from the negligence of Norfolk County Council, its employees or official volunteers.
I agree to my child/ward receiving medication as instructed and any emergency dental,
medical or surgical treatment, including anaesthetic or blood transfusion, as considered
necessary by the medical authorities present.
Signed: ……………………………………….. Relationship ………………………………………………
Please print name: ………………………….. Date: ……………………………………………………….
Should there be any amendments to this form after it has been handed in, please contact the visit
leader immediately. The above information will be stored on a database and will be used for the
administration and delivery of activities being organised by Norfolk County Council to monitor statistical
information for the visit and for no other purpose, in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1988). All
personal information will be held in the strictest confidence. It will not be made available to any third
party other than those involved in the delivery of the visit/activities.