The students, all aged between 16-18, had the chance to design their own local campaigns. Abena will action the best ideas into real campaigns to benefit the residents of Erith and Thamesmead.
Katie Izod, 17, Summer School Student, said, “I attended the Summer School last year. The structure is great - it’s multi-faceted and targets campaigning from all different angles. It’s also given me the opportunity to meet like-minded, passionate people.
“My campaign idea is based around the reform of the Sex Education curriculum that is delivered in primary and secondary schools. There’s a lot of stigma around this topic – it’s extremely misunderstood. I believe asexuality is completely absent from the curriculum - we should be taught more about sexual consent and the LGBTQIA+ community, to make sure it’s inclusive."
Other students’ campaign ideas included drink-spiking, the need for more youth centres and improving mental health support.
The event welcomed several guest speakers, to name a few:
- Shaughna Philips - Love Island Contestant and Body Image Campaigner
- Laura Coryton - Campaigner, Author and Founder of the Tampon Tax Campaign
- Ella Fallows - Politics and Outreach Manager, Meta, Facebook
- Christine Quigley – Director at Grayling
- Rima Amin – Change.org
- Zainab Asunramu – Elect Her
- Martin Angus – Local Government Association
MP Abena Oppong-Asare said, “I know from my own experience that whether you’re dealing with environmental issues, crime, or education, effective campaigning is the key to influencing and challenging those in power. So, I am determined to do all I can to empower our young people to be the change they want to see in the world.”
We were more than happy to host this event this year and we look forward to working with MP Abena Oppong-Asare and her team on her future events which will continue to inspire young people.