I was delighted to host my Young Leadership Programme virtually this year!

The programme aims to help young people develop key skills for their future involvement across many sectors including politics, media, education, and the charitable sector. Throughout the week of events, participants were given an insight into how an MP’s office is run as well as meeting senior and high profile figures from across the Labour Party and Parliament. The young leaders were also able to develop their activism, engagement, and leadership across key sectors and given the opportunity to appreciate the importance of equality and diversity in leadership.

Participants included young people from across Greater Manchester who joined in a week full of exciting and engaging activities. Activities included workshops with the University of Manchester, Trade Unions and Islamic Relief. The young leaders also had an introduction to Parliament, where they met senior members of the House of Lords, including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Bishop David Walker, Baroness Jenny Jones and Lord Wajid Khan.

They also met with senior MPs, including Caroline Nokes, David Lammy, Taiwo Owatemi, Naz Shah, Abena Oppong-Asare, Angela Rayner, Nusrat Ghani and Stephen Kinnock.

I was impressed with the fantastic questions asked by the aspiring leaders and their thoughtful insights throughout the week. We concluded the Programme with a socially distanced graduation ceremony at the BMHC, where participants were awarded with certificates for successfully completing the Programme.

Congratulations class of 2021!

I look forward to hosting the Young Leadership Programme again next year and hope to do so in person!