14-year-old Cole Foad has been selected to represent Guernsey’s young people when he speaks at the UK Youth Parliament Sitting next week.

Guernsey and the other Crown Dependencies are being represented for the third year running and Cole is the youngest chosen to speak on the island’s behalf so far. He’s also the first student from a States school to be asked to speak.

The Les Varendes High School student will deliver a two minute speech on the chosen topic ‘Health and Wellbeing’ in front of more than 300 other young people, the Speaker of the House of Commons and a live audience through Parliament TV.

Pictured: Ladies College pupil Neave Chatting Tonks was the first Guernsey student to speak in the House of Commons in 2023.

“I am so excited to have won this opportunity, I applied for multiple reasons which include: my interest in politics and law and giving the youth of Guernsey a voice,” explained Cole.

“For this competition I had to write and deliver a five minute speech on ‘Why Youth Work Funding Is Essential’. I was initially nervous when preparing but I felt really proud once this was done. When I found out I had won this I was ecstatic and couldn’t believe I am going to represent Guernsey at the House of Commons.”

Cole’s opportunity to speak in the House of Commons was secured through a competition run by the Youth Commission.

A spokesperson said that Cole’s five minute speech on ‘Why funding Youth Work is Essential’ was one of many received, but that his won out through its powerful message which highlighted how vital local youth services are for the island.

Pictured: Elizabeth College pupil Eva Redelinghuys was the second Guernsey teenager to speak in the House of Commons.

Nick Hynes, Director of Education, shared his support for the message behind Cole’s speech.

“The work of the Youth Commission in Guernsey and Alderney is integral in achieving our aim to develop all children and young people to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Not only do they offer a wide range of activities which enable young people to learn skills that support them to manage their own lives, they also play a pivotal part in ensuring that our children and young people are able to thrive and grow into healthy young adults who make a positive contribution to their community and the world beyond these islands.”