The St Helena Youth Parliament (SHYP) serves as the voice of St Helena’s youth,.
The Parliament leads the way for ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and that any issues affecting them are addressed.
SHYP acts as a unified body representing young Saints, focusing on providing feedback to Ministers, Councillors, and organisations that impact young people’s daily lives. The Parliament speaks on behalf of young people, addressing common challenges faced both in and out of school, and helping to provide solutions that can be discussed and acted on by the Legislative Council.
Together, they learn and share more about politics and governance, gaining a deeper understanding of how government functions. We strive to learn as much as possible about St Helena’s laws, policymaking processes, and the importance of civic engagement.
SHYP is also committed to improving public speaking, leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, and negotiation skills. We value the experience of working with diverse viewpoints and learning how to collaborate to reach common goals.
Another important part of our role is to advocate for change. We do this by creating campaigns and proposals aimed at influencing real community decisions.
Encouraging other young people to get involved in their communities and raising awareness about important youth issues are also key goals of the organisation.
Our ultimate aim is to help make St Helena a better place for young people to live and work, by fostering a community where they feel safe, supported, and empowered. SHYP seeks to initiate projects and activities that enhance the well-being, opportunities, and inclusivity of youth across the Island.
The current members of the St Helena Youth Parliament are:
Zac Bargo – Chairperson
Hannah Beard – Vice Chairperson
Selene Gough – Treasurer
Luke Bowers – Secretary
Joelle Henry – Social Secretary
Jacob Bowers – Archivist
There is also a position available for an Outreach Officer.
How to Contact the Youth Parliament?
You can reach us by emailing: sthelenayouthparliament@gmail.com