With local elections and a referendum on the voting system just around the corner, students with learning disabilities at Coleg Gwent got the chance to make their voices heard and put their own questions direct to local politicians recently.
Independent Living Skills (ILS) students at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport Campus took part in a ‘Question Time’ style event, putting questions on a range of subjects such as education, transport and health to Newport East’s Labour AM John Griffiths and Liberal Democrat candidate Ed Townsend. The event was chaired by learning disability charity Mencap.
“Students have strong opinions and interesting thoughts on many different subjects, but when you have a learning disability it’s not always easy to make yourself heard,” said Chris Robertson, Head of School for Health & Social Care.
“The event was designed to help them think about the issues that matter to them, and to express their opinions directly to people that could be representing them in future.
“It was a great success and really helped students’ understanding of how politics works, as well as being a fantastic opportunity to get their views across.”
The group worked with Mencap representatives to build a list of questions to put to the visiting candidates. Student Louise Tasker, 20, said: “It was really interesting to learn about politics. I will be voting in the elections so listening to the different arguments has really helped me to make up my mind.”
The event was organised as part of Mencap’s Inspire Me project, which aims to encourage young people with learning difficulties to aim high and fulfil their ambitions. Paul Hunt, Partners in Politics Assistant for Mencap Cymru said: “The Inspire Me project supports young people in taking an active role in their own lives. The event gave students an important opportunity to voice their opinions and to listen to the different political arguments put forward by candidates standing for election.”
