Embarking on my Year 10 work experience, I had the privilege of spending a few days with Rebecca Deegan, the founder of “I Have a Voice”, an organisation dedicated to empowering young people to find and use their voices for positive change.
Before my work experience, I could not even give you a definition of ‘politics’! I barely understood the term referendum, had no idea how young people could engage with Parliament's work, and did not understand the role of voting in decision-making in Parliament.
Rebecca, through her campaign, has not only helped me to understand the definition of politics, and the term referendum, but also helped me to comprehend how us, as young people, can have a voice in politics, beyond just voting. I have been shown that by lobbying, advocating and influencing key decision-makers, I can have a say and I can advocate for real change. That goes for you too!
I have been set real-world research tasks, replicating the type of work required from people who work in Rebecca’s field, which has helped me to form a proper understanding of what work could look like, if I was to follow in Rebecca’s footsteps.
These tasks also enabled me to widen my knowledge about the new MPs and what they campaigned for, in the lead up to the election. I think this was vital for me to do, as I will have to carry out similar research about MPs for the next General Election, when I will be old enough to vote.
What especially stood out to me, was the TEN under thirty MPs that have been elected, the youngest being a mere twenty-two years old! This is extremely encouraging, as Sam Carling, the twenty-two-year-old, is leading the way for us, the potential next generation of MPs.
Rebecca has also shown me examples of her successful lobbying, which was truly inspiring. The fact that her work, research and debating was leading to real change made me realise that I, too, can use my voice for change. Her passion for her work made me even more interested in a similar career!
For those of you who do not understand what lobbying is (as I did not before this work experience!), it is: trying to influence representatives to change their political policies. Or in short, political persuasion. This is one crucial way in which we, young people, can make our voices heard, to strive for the change that we want to see.
The highlight of my work experience is, without a doubt, my visit to Parliament - thank you Emma for the amazing tour!
Despite the State Opening of Parliament (which marks the beginning of the new government) the following day, Rebecca exceeded my expectations, by managing to arrange a tour of Parliament for us. As a Brummie, I do not often come to London, so to have been privileged with this opportunity was incredible! We even got to see the rehearsals, including being able to watch the one and only Lindsay Hoyle promenading around the Central Lobby.
Following my research into the new MPs, we were able to witness the Swearing In of 20 Members of Parliament, in the House of Commons, from the Public Gallery. I have only ever seen those green seats on TV before, and it was almost surreal to be sitting so close to such an integral place in Parliament!
New and previous MPs had to recite an oath, pledging to be faithful to the King, which was fascinating to see. However, I found it a bit peculiar how the statement pledged faithfulness to the King, rather than the people; who, I would argue, are more affected by the decisions made in Parliament.
I was also taken into the second largest committee meeting room in Parliament, for the first time (and probably not the last).
When young people think of politics, they disregard it, thinking all you can do is become Prime Minister. While that would be awesome, there are so many more job opportunities in politics that I have been exposed to during my time with I Have a Voice, and they could be the job for you! Rebecca has changed the way I perceive politics, by showing me all of the doors that are available in the world of politics.
Finally, I really enjoyed going to see the broom cupboard in which Emily Wilding Davison locked herself in, in 1911, in order for her home to be registered as Parliament. This was a brilliant act from Davison, that pressurised the government into considering how if her house was in Parliament, why should she, and women in general, not be allowed to vote?
A brave act, from a brave woman. She has paved the way for us, young women, to challenge our representatives so that we can achieve a better and more equal society, that Davison strived for, and died for.
Standing up for what you believe in can create ripple effects in your community and beyond. I have learnt that young voices are particularly powerful in driving social change.
What I have gained from these two days cannot be put into words. Thanks to Rebecca, I now have experience of how to use the Underground, but more crucially how to use my voice in big issues.
Thank you to Rebecca for this amazing opportunity, it has been eye-opening to say the least! I am looking forward to my internship...? 😂
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