First deaf young person elected to the National Deaf Children’s Society seat in the Welsh Youth Parliament
We are super excited to announce that the first deaf young person elected to the National Deaf Children’s Society seat in the Welsh Youth Parliament is Dan Downton, aged 12, from Barry, south Wales!
Our partnership organisation, Talking Hands, announced Kelsey Brookes, aged 13 from Swansea will be their elected member. We look forward to Dan and Kelsey working together in the Welsh Youth Parliament.
A massive congratulations to Dan on winning such a well-contested National Deaf Children’s Society election, and a big thank you to Biba, Tegan and Yahya for putting their names forward and standing as well.
It was so inspiring to see a group of dedicated deaf young people run such brilliant campaigns and to get so many young people voting.
Dan is looking forward to getting started and said “I didn’t expect it, but I’m really excited to be joining the Welsh Youth Parliament. I’m also excited to be working with the National Deaf Children’s Society. One of my main issues is for all deaf children to have as much help at school as I have. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”
It’s not easy to put your name forward for such a big role and we really look forward to working with all the candidates on raising the issues that matter most to them.
Dan and Kelsey will be using this opportunity to put forward the voice of deaf young people to the Welsh Youth Parliament. The pair will begin work in January 2022 and will be Welsh Youth Parliament members for two years.
Dan’s Policies
During the election, Dan highlighted the following as issues he would like to take forward into the Youth Parliament:
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The need for more subtitled showings at cinemas
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A call for better access to technology in schools for everyone
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The need to reduce the amount of single use plastic
We’re looking forward to supporting Dan during his term on youth parliament and know he will do a fabulous job!
Dan will be attending debates in the chamber of the Welsh Parliament. He’ll be raising his key policy areas in addition to joining in discussions on other topics to bring the perspective of deaf young people. Please keep an eye on our social media for way to get involved with Dan’s work and campaigns.
You can contact [email protected] if you’d like to get involved.
We know that Dan and Kelsey will have a fantastic time as a Welsh Youth Parliament member. Please join us in wishing Dan and Kelsey the best of luck for their time representing deaf young people with the support of the National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru and Talking Hands!
Congratulations/llongyfarchiadau Dan and Kelsey!