Young people in Bournemouth have been given the chance to explore politics in a new way through the town’s first politics summer school.
The two-day programme, organised by Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale in collaboration with Bournemouth University, welcomed 52 students aged 16 to 19 on 28 and 29 August. The aim was to help young people better understand how politics works, discover career opportunities and develop campaigning skills.
Day one included a panel featuring Jessica Toale, Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Mayor George Farquhar, Independent Councillor Andy Martin, and BBC Radio Solent journalist Emily Hudson.
Students also took part in interactive activities including mock interviews and a crisis simulation, where they represented organisations ranging from government departments to the World Health Organisation.
The afternoon sessions included a Q&A with Jessica Toale and a media literacy workshop, encouraging students to think critically about how politics is reported.
Local environmental campaigner Julia Davies sponsored the event, also supporting local businesses who provided organic food for the students.
Day two explored careers linked to politics, with speakers including Julia Davies, Rish Patel from The Gates Foundation, campaigner Tracey Jose, and adviser Hannah Barlow. Students also attended a workshop on how to design and launch their own campaigns.
Jessica Toale MP said the event showed the enthusiasm of young people to shape their communities.
She explained: “The young people who attended showed so much enthusiasm for understanding how to become changemakers in their communities. They brought lots of ideas about what they’d like to see change from more funding for youth services to changes to our voting system.”
Professor Scott Wright from Bournemouth University added that the programme gave students hands-on experience of how politics and the media work, using the university’s studios and expertise.
Organisers confirmed that many students left inspired to get more involved in local politics and campaigning. Plans are already underway to run the summer school again next year.
