Daniela Onyewuenyi MSYP

I sadly did not get elected but I know that @teri4msyp and @McCrackers4SYP are amazing people and I'm glad you entrusted them to represent you guys!

The cat is out of the bag 🥳 I am truly grateful for this opportunity and want to thank my family and friends who supported me over the last year I wish @AdamjohnsonMSYP all the best for the future

📣 North Ayrshire has gained a new Member of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) representative from the Isle of Arran 🎉 Emma Henderson, S5 pupil from @arranhigh will represent the ward of Cunninghame North following the resignation of MSYP Adam Johnson of Saltcoats (Largs Academy). The first time since 2017 that we have had a successful islander at the helm, Emma’s tenure begins following her peer’s difficult decision to step down as he focuses on his academic studies beyond school. As Adam was still in his two-year tenure, the decision has been made to designate the role to the next in-line – the candidate who had the most votes after him back when the Scottish Youth Parliament elections were concluded in March 2024. MSYPs can help make young people’s voices heard at a local and national level on a range of matters, from climate change and mental health to poverty and LGBT issues. Emma is excited to join the other candidates as the elected members acting on behalf of constituents (young people between 12-25, living in North Ayrshire) to amplify their views and champion young people’s rights. She shares: “It feels wonderful to step into the role of an MSYP. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make change to policies that affect me and my peers. However, I do want to acknowledge the hard work that Adam has put in over the past year and I wish him the best of luck for the future. “During my time as an MSYP, I want to focus on improving the mental health services here in Cunninghame North, campaign to make the education system one where all young people can benefit from it and advocate for better access to youth work opportunities.” 🗣️ Emma is also involved currently in raising awareness of @OfficialSYP's current manifesto consultation where young people are being asked to share their views on a host of important issues.* She adds: “Young people's lives are impacted daily by decision makers, and the SYP Manifesto consultation only comes around once every five years, so I encourage all young people take part as it is their opportunity to exercise Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and make their voices heard!” From today, Tuesday 11 February, when she officially takes on the mantle, Emma will join fellow MSYP Rhyan Gorrie (Garnock Academy) to represent Cunninghame North, alongside Cunninghame South’s elected representatives, Emma Burns (Irvine Royal) and Freya Fitzsimmons (St Matthews Academy). Now, a former MSYP for Cunninghame North, Adam Johnson reflects: “As a young person with a disability, I have experience with mental health and disabilities. It was my pleasure to be able to put in the hard work and be a champion for young people not only like me, but across North Ayrshire. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I am stepping back from my role as an MSYP. It truly has been the honour of my life to serve my constituency over the past year or so it will be something that I will never forget. “I recently started studying Social Care at college and have made the difficult decision to step down because I feel I no longer have the right amount of time to effectively carry out my duties. “My plans are to study to become an occupational therapist and even though my time with Scottish Youth Parliament has come to an end, that doesn’t mean that I am giving up on youth voice and still plan on supporting the current members where I can. "I wish Emma the very best of luck as she takes on the new role.” If you are a young person who would like to raise a topic or issue of concern with your local MSYP or even get involved with youth groups and participation locally, please email: youthwork@north-ayrshire.gov.uk Stay tuned to @NAYouthServices to keep a lookout for news updates and youth opportunities near you. *Get full details of the SYP Manifesto consultation at: tinyurl.com/3nv2sp3f

⚠️Storm Éowyn Update⚠️ All local authority nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools will be closed to all staff and pupils on Friday 24 January 2025. Full details - bit.ly/3C7J6Mc