Sarah seeks seat in UK Youth Parliament

A RIPON Grammar School student who wants to help improve the lives of young people in North Yorkshire is running as a candidate for the UK Youth Parliament.

If elected, Sarah Jayan, 16, from Ripon, will represent the voices of her peers at the highest levels of government.

She hopes to help bring about positive social change through her campaigns to help improve the daily commute to school, create more social spaces for young people and offer additional support for those struggling to figure out post-16 choices.

Sarah, who plans to study computer science after RGS, first got interested in politics during Covid and has been galvanised by the young people whose anti-corruption and repression demonstrations helped overthrow the government in Nepal this year.

“It was inspiring to see how people our age stood up for themselves, united in the same belief, and made me realise the significant lack of youth voices in this country.”

She jumped at the chance to get involved with the UKYP, which provides a platform for more than 300 young people aged 11-19 to voice their opinions on issues which affect them.

Newly elected members will meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, make speeches, hold debates and ensure the views of young people are heard by decision makers.

Voting begins in mid-January and runs until the end of February.

Sarah, studying maths, art and English literature at A-level, says: “I’ve talked to students about how crowded the school commute gets when children of all ages are moving in the same area, with so many primary and high schools being close together.

“A lot of pupils feel scared or lonely to walk home alone, especially in winter. Implementing systems like buddy walking makes it feel less intimidating and will also put parents’ minds at ease.

“Fair costs, dependable schedules, and practical connections are essential for independence and opportunity,” she added.

She said she hoped creating more social spaces would enable young people to grow together:” Communities flourish when young people have places to meet, create, and feel valued. Positive spaces build confidence, friendships, and resilience. They are not optional extras — they are foundations for healthier, happier lives and stronger communities.

“Schools and communities should provide safe spaces for conversations, where understanding, guidance, and empathy are standard.”

Help with post-16 choices is a crucial part of her campaign, she says: “This is a key turning point in our lives.

“Every young person should understand their next steps, not fear them. Clear guidance, real exposure to careers, apprenticeships, and educational pathways help us make informed choices. When opportunities are visible and accessible, confidence grows — and with it, ambition. Every young person deserves to feel equipped to take the next step in their journey.”

Sarah, who has been shortlisted as a candidate for the West area of North Yorkshire, is involved in the school’s debating society and helped found a start-up business as part of the Young Enterprise scheme.

She also volunteers at a local charity shop and plays badminton and tennis outside school.

Sarah’s manifesto

Young people deserve more than slogans — they deserve honesty, ambition, and solutions that create real change. When young people are supported, informed, and empowered, they can shape the world around them. This manifesto is built around four pillars designed to strengthen our future: opportunity, access, wellbeing, and community.

Empowering Futures

Every young person should understand their next steps, not fear them. Clear guidance, real exposure to careers, apprenticeships, and educational pathways help us make informed choices. When opportunities are visible and accessible, confidence grows — and with it, ambition. Every young person deserves to feel equipped to take the next step in their journey.

Reliable Access to Everyday Life

Getting to school, work, or activities should never be a barrier. Many young people face long or complicated journeys, which can also place real pressure on parents and carers who must juggle work and family routines. Fair costs, dependable schedules, and practical connections are essential for independence and opportunity. Access should open doors, not add stress, and movement should support families while helping young people thrive.

Stronger Support for Wellbeing

Young people face pressures that are often invisible but deeply felt. Support must be approachable, accessible, and taken seriously. No one should feel alone when facing mental health challenges. Schools and communities should provide safe spaces for conversations, where understanding, guidance, and empathy are standard. Stronger wellbeing support allows young people to grow resilient, confident, and capable of overcoming challenges

Spaces That Belong to Us

Communities flourish when young people have places to meet, create, and feel valued. Positive spaces build confidence, friendships, and resilience. They are not optional extras — they are foundations for healthier, happier lives and stronger communities. Everyone deserves a safe, supportive space to grow.

This vision is driven by fairness, respect, and the belief that young people deserve to be involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Together, we can create momentum that cannot be ignored. The future should be built with us, not for us, and with the right support, every young person can thrive.