With the next Scottish Youth Parliament Elections around the corner, current MSYP for Orkney, Kaydence Drayak tells us about the projects she’s been involved with during her time representing Orkney’s young people – and the importance of standing for election.

I’ve been an MSYP since November 2021, taking the concerns of local young people to people who hold the power to help make change in Scotland.

Over my term I have attended SYP sittings in Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire – excitingly the next one is right here in Orkney from 1-3 July.

I have had the opportunity to be a representative at the UK Youth Parliament for the Highlands and Islands.

And I’ve been a part of the Mental Health Investigation Team where I helped gather the views of young people, parents and carers to feed back to the Scottish Government on community based mental health services.

I’ve also been part of the Campaign Development Group on SYP’s right to food campaign, where we worked to increase young people’s awareness and understanding of their right to food as well as gathering their views to learn about the reality of how accessible the right to food is for young people in Scotland.

These are just some of many rewarding experiences I have had being a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. I would encourage all young people to have a look at applying, it really is a wonderful opportunity to be an MSYP. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to collaborate with incredible, passionate young people from across Scotland to create positive change.

You have until Monday 31 July to register their interest in standing to become an MSYP – an easy process via the Scottish Youth Parliament website syp.org.uk

There’s support all the way from Orkney Islands Council’s Youth Services team to help you devise a campaign to express what you will tackle if elected.

Stand up for what you believe in, by standing for election!

Young people will choose their MSYPs between Monday 6 November and Sunday 19 November, through the Young Scot website.