Well, it's been a while...

And I apologize for that.

As happens often around this time of year, Youth Voice work begins to slow down. With SHYC (Surrey Heath Youth Council), we have begun to finish our project (more details soon!) With SYC (Surrey Youth Cabinet), we have hit a block in all of our campaigning and projects as our worker left, and long story short, we have no replacement yet. And exams, all the exams!

Instead of looking back into the past, however, I would like to look into the future, both short-term, and long-term. 

I would first like to update you on my role as Social Action Group Member for the South East. Due to exam season, not much has been happening, however lots of very exciting things are coming up! Firstly YouthCon London, which is happening tomorrow as of the day of writing (if I get this out on time), where like-minded Young People from across the South East, London, and East of England come together and discuss the priority campaign this year, which is Free School Meals. If you’re unsure what that’s about, I made this handy Twitter thread that you could check out! I am looking forward to presenting a session at YouthCon again tomorrow! Another exciting event coming up across the South East are the Spill the Tea events - where decision makers come to schools, and the youth representative talks to the decision maker (over a school lunch hopefully) about Free School Meals, and why the scheme should be expanded and offered to all young people! 

Additionally, we have Annual Conference coming up from the 21st-23rd July in Leeds, which will be exciting! Not much has been announced about the agenda, but when it does, I will update you!

Locally, I have quite a bit coming up. Some of it can’t be confirmed, but the Summer is looking to be interesting, with me hopefully planning a few events with some local ‘celebrities’. 

Additionally, I am meeting the MP for Surrey Heath, and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, next Friday. While it is a short meeting, I am sure will be productive nonetheless! I have quite alot to bring up, like Free School Meals and the environment. 

Also, now that Surrey Heath Borough Council has been fully elected (delayed due to a postponed election), I am hoping to meet with the council about issues concerning young people in the area. 

There is also some news that I am not allowed to share yet, but this will be very time-consuming over the summer, and will be shared through Social Media as soon as I can. 

Now, in terms of this blog, I plan to create a blog post about what I am doing in the area monthly, as well as updating more often when I am attending events, such as YouthCon and Annual Conference. 

As always, if you need to contact me, you can use the contact form on my website, or email me here. 

Thanks for reading!

Dylan