North Ayrshire has gained a new Member of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) representative from the Isle of Arran.
Emma Henderson, an S5 pupil from Arran High School, will represent the ward of Cunninghame North following the resignation of MSYP Adam Johnson of Saltcoats (Largs Academy).
The first time since 2017 that we have had a successful islander at the helm, Emma’s tenure begins following her peer’s decision to step down due as he focuses on his academic studies beyond school.
As Adam was still in his two-year tenure, the decision has been made by Scottish Youth Parliament to designate the role to the next in-line – the candidate who had the most votes after him back when the SYP elections were concluded in March 2024.
MSYPs can help make young people’s voices heard at local and national level on a range of matters, from climate change and mental health to poverty and LGBT issues.
Emma is excited to join the other candidates as the elected members acting on behalf of constituents (young people between 12-25, living in North Ayrshire) to amplify their views and champion young people’s rights at a local and national level.
Emma is also involved currently in raising awareness of Scottish Youth Parliament’s current SYP Manifesto consultation where young people are being asked to share their views on a host of important issues.
She added:
“Young people's lives are impacted daily by decisions makers, and the SYP Manifesto consultation only comes around once every five years, so I encourage all young people take part in the consultation as it is their opportunity to exercise Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and make their voices heard.”
From today, Tuesday 11 February, when she officially takes on the mantle, Emma will join fellow MSYP Rhyan Gorrie (Garnock Academy) to represent Cunninghame North, alongside Cunninghame South’s elected representatives, Emma Burns (Irvine Royal) and Freya Fitzsimmons (St Matthews Academy).
The SYPs are currently focusing on range of key priorities including reducing poverty and inequality, tackling climate change, improvement transport links for young people and supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Now, a former MSYP for Cunninghame North, Adam Johnson reflects:
“As a young person with a disability, I have experience with mental health and disabilities. It was my pleasure to be able to put in the hard work and be a champion for young people not only like me, but across North Ayrshire.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I am stepping back from my role as an MSYP. It truly has been the honour of my life to serve my constituency over the past year or so it will be something that I will never forget.
“I recently started studying Social Care at college and have made the difficult decision to step down because I feel I no longer have the right amount of time to effectively carry out my duties as an MSYP.
“My plans are to study to become an occupational therapist and even though my time with Scottish Youth Parliament has come to an end, that doesn’t mean that I am giving up on youth voice and still plan on supporting the current members where I can. I wish Emma the very best of luck.”
Councillor Chloe Robertson, North Ayrshire's Young People’s Champion, has also shared her well wishes. She said:
“Congratulations to Emma Henderson on her new tenure. I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing Emma in action as an active member of North Ayrshire’s Youth Executive – a group of young people working in their schools to consult with their peers, create local projects and events and engage with key decision-makers.
“Young people are at the heart of everything we do as a council, and I am proud that Emma shares our vision to champion young people and speak up on important issues to genuinely make a difference.
“I look forward to working closely with our MYSPs over the next year to continue to put young people’s rights and issues at the forefront of the council’s decision-making on issues affecting them.”
If you are a young person who would like to raise a topic or issue of concern with your local MSYP or even get involved with youth groups and participation locally, please email youthwork@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Get full details of the SYP Manifesto consultation in the recent news article.
