Hi, I’m Cate James-Hodges and I’m in my fifth year as a member of Stroud District Youth Council (SDYC). I feel proud and honoured to be the Leader for 2022/23.

As SDYC reached the age of 22 in March, we reflected on the challenges and achievements of the previous 12 months. Internal annual elections followed, creating our line-up of lead members:

Brandon Watkins is Chairperson, with Maxie Wells now Vice-Chairperson. Representatives to the British Youth Council (BYC) are: Fin Smith and Alice Standing. The leadership team consists of: Megan Land, Principal Member for Environment; Morgan Smith, Principal Member for Health and Wellbeing; and Tom Wickham-Basset re-elected as Principal Member for Local Democracy; and me, as SDYC Leader.

Despite the many challenges caused by the pandemic, particularly recruitment to our local youth forum groups, I am committed as Leader, to us re-engaging with the many different projects we influenced or lead on before, including new ones. Our 30 projects include those relating to young people’s health and wellbeing, local democracy and the environment.

Collectively we are still the active voice for young people in the district and I’m confident we have enough knowledge and passion to lead new and current representatives in tackling a full youth voice programme.

Our manifesto has grown and now features statements titled, ‘Environment, Carbon Neutral and Climate Emergency’ in respect of our work with the 2030 efforts; and ‘Youth Voice and Safeguarding’, which we are also proposing to the BYC for addition to their manifesto.

Our involvement with Stroud District Council is naturally important. We’ve recently assessed their committee work plans for youth related matters and fully participated in the performance monitoring of services.

Keep an eye out for the launch of our new and improved website and follow us on social media.

Cate James-Hodges, Leader of Stroud District Youth Council