Sevenoaks KYCC candidates
Voting opened on 11 November and closes on 24 November for the Kent Youth County Council elections.
Results of the election will be published on 3 December.
Candidate manifestos
Read their manifestos to find out more about what issues they're standing for and submit your vote!
I want you to vote for me because:
I wish to make a change for all young people in Kent and embrace everyone's differences to live in a diverse and unified community.
Issue 1: advocating for better mental health support within secondary schools
To help schools work more closely with clinical psychologists. To help support students to try and receive diagnoses when this support might not be available at home. So no young person is made to feel 'other' and is able to receive specific accessible support.
Issue 2: promote greater awareness and understanding of multicultural topics
To help each school develop a people of colour society to allow students to celebrate their culture and help educate fellow peers on pressing matters that might not be in the school curriculum to make a real difference within the school environment. Helping to commemorate all cultures within Kent.
Issue 3: to help put in place more locations specifically for young people within the community
To help young people to have more public spaces that can be used for leisure, to get work done or just to have a chat. These could be places like cafes or skate parks where young people do not feel unwelcome and are free to express themselves. helping to create a sense of community and belonging.
I want you to vote for me because:
I’m passionate about young people’s rights and will ensure everyone’s voices will be heard.
Issue 1: cost of transport
Due to the cost of living crisis, transport for teenagers simply getting to or from school is becoming increasingly expensive. This is putting too much pressure on families to support them and needs to change.
Issue 2: mental health awareness
There is little support for teenagers with mental disabilities and disorders. Everyone should have a safe space to confide in and receive support from either their school or a selected community.
Issue 3: equal opportunities in schools
Many schools don’t have the same opportunities due to funding. This affects choices students can make in later life due to missed chances to show their creativity and passion.
I want you to vote for me because:
I will do my best to get everyone’s voices heard and work hard for improvement within Kent.
Issue 1: environmental accessibility within schools
I will try and implement changes to decrease the environmental impact of schools, such as having a secondhand uniform store or providing water refill sites.
Issue 2: food waste
I would like to coordinate with Kent County Council to increase awareness about the negative impacts of food waste on the environment.
Issue 3: prayer rooms
I would like to implement a policy within schools that provides a prayer space in every school, available to students of all faiths as a place to worship freely.
I want you to vote for me because:
I care about our community and people, I want them to live happy and healthy lives in the difficult times many young people go through.
Issue 1: improving green spaces in schools
I want to create healthy and fun places for students of all ages to be able to go to in schools or in public. I believe this is so important as we young people need a place to chill, or study or have some quiet time, and what better and healthier than surrounded by nature.
Issue 2: support for mental health
In our schools the lack of mental health support is shocking. Just because you don't have an EHCP, or just because you aren't a SEN student, doesn't mean you should get less support. School life is hard, and we all deserve the support we need. This is why I want to push for better support for us all.
Issue 3: creating support for teachers regarding SEN students
Many of the teachers of today haven't got a clue about mental health support. Schools aren't being given enough funding or resources to support this. Hundreds of students who require support are not getting it because of short-staffed AEN departments, and untrained teachers. This needs to change.
I want you to vote for me because:
I want to make a positive change. I want to ensure that areas that are often neglected, are finally given the attention that they deserve.
Issue 1: greater advocacy for sport and sport facilities
For too long, sport has been overshadowed by other things. This had led to declining sport facilities around the county. I would actively campaign and advocate for the restoration of sport facilities across Sevenoaks and beyond, including tennis/basketball courts, skate park ,and outdoor gyms.
Issue 2: greater advocacy for the arts
The arts, were and still are, a crucial part of the development of British Culture. Like sport however, they are consistently underfunded and overshadowed. I would campaign and advocate for more funding for this, as well as increased opportunities for performing and workshops.
Issue 3: greater advocacy for social activities and events
Due to austerity, many social activities funded by KCC and the Government had to end. However, I firmly believe this was the wrong choice. I would advocate and campaign for the reintroduction/an increase of funded youth clubs and activity days - to have the same experiences as your parents may have had.