Amy aims for placeon NI Youth Forum

YOUNG Londonderry woman Amy Phelan has fought for her local library and helped bring the once divided communties of Maydown and Strathfoyle closer together but now she wants to take it to a province-wide stage by seeking election to the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF).
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jun 2012, 16:56 BST

Ms Phelan, aged 18, is currently Chairperson of the Enagh Youth Forum (EYF) and has been nominated for election to the NIYF, a body set up in 1979 to give voice to people aged between 11 and 25.

Next Saturday, June 23, Ms Phelan will learn her fate at the NIYF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Belfast.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She is the only young person from the Londonderry area to have been nominated this time around.

She explains: “I would like to be elected as I am passionate about giving young people opportunities to make decisions within their local areas.

“I want to represent my local area and youth forum and to share ideas at a regional level.”

For the past two years Ms Phelan has garnered a wealth of experience as a member and subsequently Chair of the EYF.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She adds: “Throughout this time I have been involved in running a successful campaign to save our local library in Strathfoyle and I have participated in and organised bring two local communities together for which we won an IMPACT Award.

“I have also organised residentials and activities for the younger generations of our area and our committee to ensure everyone who participates in the Enagh ward are included and listened to.

“As a result of all this I feel I could bring a lot of new ideas to NIYF and represent the young people of my area, their ideas and needs.”

Asked about the skills, abilities and personal interests she would bring to the forum, she stated: “As chairperson I have good leadership skills as I run meetings, this also brings out my organisational skills when planning meetings within my youth forum.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am very good at communicating with others as I am approachable and easy to talk too. I am also interested in music, dance and drama, I like to preform for

others. I am also into sports as I like activities that keep me active.”

Paul Hughes of EYF wished Ms Phelan the best of luck on her election prospects.

“From everyone here at the Youth Forum we would like to wish Amy the best of luck and know that she will be a great voice for young people not just in Strathfoyle and Maydown but we believe Amy will represent young people from right across our city, should she be elected,” he said.

Related topics:AGM