Excited and very much up for her new role is North Ayrshire’s young people’s champion.
Former St Matthew’s Academy pupil, Councillor Chloe Robertson, was elected to the local council in May.
And the former Marymass royal party member would seem suited to the role due to her connection with her peers.
Councillor Robertson, 22, is a previous member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and was a Marymass Mary in 2015.
Recently graduating with a degree in politics at the University of Glasgow, she is one of North Ayrshire’s youngest councillors and is looking forward to representing young people far and wide.
“I am delighted to be embarking upon my journey as an elected member and as the council’s first-ever young people’s champion,” she commented.
Cllr Robertson's work will involve meeting with and listening to young people to hear the issues that matter most to them.
“During secondary school," she continued, "there was always such a fantastic sense of community spirit there. This really ignited my passion to strive to do more for my peers and represent my local community.
"I served as a member of Scottish Youth Parliament from 2017 until 2019 and this gave me an understanding of how important it is to advocate for my fellow young people.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to now be young people’s champion, representing all young people in North Ayrshire. I hope to use this platform to encourage and empower others to speak up and make their voices heard.”
Part of the council’s youth participation strategy ensures young people’s voices are heard and acted upon by the local authority services representing them.
Cllr Robertson said: “As the first in my family to go to university, my parents are extremely proud. I pledge to do all that I can now to make young people in North Ayrshire proud too.
"Also, as a local young person myself, I feel that I have a similar perspective on what is important to young people in North Ayrshire.
"Having lived here all my life, I am deeply passionate about the issues facing young people and our communities, so in my role as young people’s champion, I hope to be a sounding board for the issues affecting young people and an advocate for them."
Cllr Robertson knows young people have had a tough time as a result of Covid and is aware that a difficult few months lie ahead.
She added: “Throughout the pandemic, young people have made so many sacrifices and I am acutely aware of the toll the current cost-of-living crisis is having on the mental health and wellbeing of so many of our young people and their families."
“The next year is going to be challenging but I am optimistic for our resilient young people.
“I share the council’s vision to build a society that is fair and equal for all so I want to continue to ensure that young people in North Ayrshire are equally represented and can access the support they need, when they need it."
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