April 2025
Youth Assembly Members have been as busy as ever this month…
Youth Assembly Committee Updates
Rights and Equality Committee
This month we have been reviewing the responses to our ‘Young Women’s Rights in Schools’ survey. This survey covered the topics of sexism, period dignity, curriculum, uniform, and ending violence against women and girls.
The survey was sent out to youth organisations and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland and we had over 1100 responses. We would like to thank everyone who shared their experiences with us!
Education Committee
The Education Committee have also been reviewing the responses to their Learning for Life and Work (LLW) survey. This survey sought to discover how LLW is viewed in schools, what is being taught and how, and if young people feel LLW prepares them for adult life. This survey had over 1400 responses and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in the survey!
Health Committee
The Health Committee have been collating the evidence collected at their youth mental health stakeholder event at the beginning of March. During the event, there were discussions and workshops with a wide range of youth organisations about the stigmas surrounding mental health, the provision of counselling in schools and what a happy school would look like.
All three Committees are currently working on their final reports and will make presentations to the relevant Ministers and Assembly Committees in June.
Justice Bill
On 10 April, Youth Assembly Members had the opportunity to give evidence to the Committee for Justice on the Justice Bill. Youth Assembly Members Cara, James, Matthew, Ciaran and Brooke gave their report to the Committee and shared their opinions and concerns on the impact on children and young people of the Bill such as the length of time biometric data is held and the bail and custody conditions for children. We would like to thank the Justice Committee for inviting us to give evidence to them.
You can read the Official report on the Committee for Justice webpage when it becomes available: https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2022-2027/justice/
Youth Assembly Member, Kerrie wrote about her experience meeting the Minister of Justice, Naomi Long MLA, last month. You can read her blog by clicking the logo below:
Tobacco and Vapes
The Youth Assembly have been involved with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill since April 2024 when it was initially being scrutinised by the Committee for Health. With their ongoing interest in the Bill, Youth Assembly Members met recently with the Northern Ireland Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, and officials from the Department of Health and the Public Health Agency. They discussed the progress of the Bill, the impact the legislation will have on children and young people and how concerns raised in previous consultations are being addressed.
Teambuilding Day
It’s not all work and no play in the Youth Assembly! This month we had the opportunity to enjoy a teambuilding day at Dundonald Ice Bowl. Congratulations to Youth Assembly Member Daniel for becoming the Youth Assembly bowling champion with 150 points! Not only did we get to bowl, a number of Members also took to the stage for some karaoke. Who knows, maybe the Youth Assembly will have to start a band…
Coming up in May
On 17 May, Youth Assembly Members will be at the Balmoral Show, talking about the work of the Youth Assembly and encouraging applications for the next Youth Assembly mandate later this year. They will also be interviewing the Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA about his role. Come and say hello if you’re at the show.
Youth Assembly Members will also be attending a stakeholder meeting with CCEA on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) including the development of guidance and resources on healthy relationships, consent, violence against women and girls, online safety, and period dignity.
If you need to reach us or have ideas and suggestions, please contact us at:
If you’re aren’t already subscribed, sign up now to receive this newsletter straight to your inbox.
