Tain woman Caitlyn Munro (21) sets out agenda as she takes on year-long Highland Youth Convener role
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Tain woman is gearing up for a new role as the voice of youth in the Highlands.
Caitlyn Munro has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener. The full-time role is a bursary position that will run for 12 months.
Caitlyn (21) previously worked as an assistant youth worker in Tain with High Life Highland for three years. She participated in the High Life Highland leadership programme and is an assistant Cub Scout leader. She has also completed a BA in Child and Youth Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
In her role as Highland Youth Convener, she will provide a consistent link for elected members and senior officials in the Highland Council. She will represent young people’s views, acting as a sounding board for youth issues in the Highlands. She will also attend council and community planning partner meetings and has full voting rights on the education committee with speaking rights at all other council committees.
The Highland Youth Convener works closely with young people across the Highlands through Highland Youth Parliament, area youth forums and pupil councils in secondary schools.
Caitlyn will maintain the links between organisations and partners already established by previous youth conveners and will be seeking to develop new connections with organisations across the Highlands.
She is the 14th youth convener since 2007.
She said: “I am excited to be taking on this unique role and feel honoured to be given this amazing opportunity to make a positive difference to all of the young people in Highland.
"Over the next 12 months, I will be continuing the work of previous youth conveners as well as developing and delivering my own action plan. My passion evolves around the participation of young people in groups and discussions, and I hope that in my role I can inspire people to get involved. I am keen to meet up with young people face-to-face to find out about anything that they feel needs voice, as well maintaining and establishing new connections.
"Another strong passion I have is improving the awareness of mental health services available in Highland, particularly as we emerge from the pandemic. I am looking forward to working with the Highland Youth Parliament (HYP) Executive to continue and develop the work surrounding mental health and any other relevant issues highlighted by young people.
"Having grown up in a rural area of the Highlands, I am really looking forward to tackling the challenges that may arise and of course, working with young people to make the Highlands a supportive, inclusive and positive place for them to live in and to be proud to grow up in this incredible area.”
Leader of the Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner said: “The Highland Youth Convener post is unique in Scotland and plays an important role in helping us better understand and engage with issues affecting our young people. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Caitlyn to the job.
"Caitlyn joins us at a very interesting and challenging time as we continue to drive forward economic and social recovery from Covid-19 that has impacted across all Highland communities, especially the lives and learning of so many young people. It is more important than ever before that we not only hear the views of young people but get young people involved in decision-making processes that could have an impact on their future.
"I am sure that Caitlyn will find the role very rewarding and will enjoy becoming a very able, active and persuasive champion who will have a direct input into our policy and decision-making process. On behalf of all my fellow councillors, welcome and we look forward to working with you.”
Mark Tate, chair of High Life Highland, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity. The youth convener plays a pivotal role in representing young people in different settings and at various levels of decision making to ensure the views of young people are heard across the Highlands. Caitlyn will be working alongside our youth development team, and I look forward to seeing them come together providing support and guidance to bring the new remit and structure to life over the coming year.”
