I've had a busy few days. On Thursday evening at the Assembly 'Operation Black Vote' was launched. This is a scheme where 9 people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Wales will be shadowing AM's over the next year. The launch was great, and I met with the student that I am mentoring- Abdool Khodabocus from Newport. He is very keen to get some experience at the Assembly, so I look forward to him working with me. I also have a student from Swansea University who will spend every Tuesday up until Christmas with me. There's certainly no shortage of things for her to be getting on with, anyhow!
Today I visited Bridgend College, and talked to a group of students studying politics as part of the Welsh Bacc. I didn't know that I would be meeting them, but they had all prepared questions( as well as a good cup of tea and cakes!) They were so interested and passionate about issues affecting them, especially with regards to not being able to vote at 16, and about being stigmatised for wearing hoodies. The debate on hoodies was quite a lively one, especially given that this week's Glamorgan Gazette has reported that a young 8 year old girl was asked to leave a shopping centre for wearing one! I really enjoyed the session, and I hope that they get involved in politics one way or another in the future.
This afternoon I spent up in Pontycymmer talking to the Community Police Officer about local issues and youth engagement in the community. I had contacted him over the summer as they were launching a new scheme in the area to encourage young people to use local facilities as opposed to staying out on the streets. It seems to be going well, and I'm going there again next week as they are organising a week of community safety and involvement events in the area.
To round off the day superbly, I had a call from Guardian Women saying that I am one of the 10 women who entered their competition that will attend their party in London next month celebrating 50 years of Guardian Women. The competition was to write a few hundred words about what the Guardian Women's section means to me, and I wrote a piece about my work as a female politician, and the wider Welsh dimension. I'm very excited about going to the event next month, and when I get more details I'll post them here first!
Today I visited Bridgend College, and talked to a group of students studying politics as part of the Welsh Bacc. I didn't know that I would be meeting them, but they had all prepared questions( as well as a good cup of tea and cakes!) They were so interested and passionate about issues affecting them, especially with regards to not being able to vote at 16, and about being stigmatised for wearing hoodies. The debate on hoodies was quite a lively one, especially given that this week's Glamorgan Gazette has reported that a young 8 year old girl was asked to leave a shopping centre for wearing one! I really enjoyed the session, and I hope that they get involved in politics one way or another in the future.
This afternoon I spent up in Pontycymmer talking to the Community Police Officer about local issues and youth engagement in the community. I had contacted him over the summer as they were launching a new scheme in the area to encourage young people to use local facilities as opposed to staying out on the streets. It seems to be going well, and I'm going there again next week as they are organising a week of community safety and involvement events in the area.
To round off the day superbly, I had a call from Guardian Women saying that I am one of the 10 women who entered their competition that will attend their party in London next month celebrating 50 years of Guardian Women. The competition was to write a few hundred words about what the Guardian Women's section means to me, and I wrote a piece about my work as a female politician, and the wider Welsh dimension. I'm very excited about going to the event next month, and when I get more details I'll post them here first!
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