MP’s virtual 'Working for your community' Summer School open for applications

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has opened applications for her seventh annual 'Working for your community' summer school - for 18-24-year-olds - which will take place between July 13-17, 2020.

Of course this year the school will be ‘virtual’ and held entirely online. 

Mrs Abrahams said: “As an MP I receive many requests from young people for some experience of an MP’s office, but unfortunately I can’t accommodate them all. 

"This was one of the reasons why I created the summer school in 2014.

"The other key reason was my concern when I spoke to some young people that they thought politics didn’t affect them!

“The aim of the summer school is to help participants understand what politics is about: helping your community.

"As such the week involves building those skills to develop local community projects across Oldham and Saddleworth. 

“The key skills they’ll learn about will stand them in good stead for both future involvement in politics and community-based work.

“Obviously, this year, because of Covid-19 we have to hold the sessions online in a ‘virtual’ summer school, but we will have another very strong line up of contributors and leaders in the areas of politics, community development, campaigning, and communications.

“Participants will take part in sessions that will be led by members of my own team through to political leaders and those in the voluntary, business and sport sectors.

“And on the last day, participants will graduate with a surprise guest speaker.”

A summer school participant from 2019, Aman Hussain from Glodwick, reflected on his experience, saying: “I really enjoyed taking part in Debbie’s summer school.

“It was particularly interesting as we learned the theory behind community work and were able to hear first-hand from people who already work in politics, and we got to see how an MP’s office works, both at Westminster and in the constituency.

“The summer school proved for me that community action is, and should be, an essential aspect of any MPs work.”

To register your interest in the summer school, send a letter of application with a curriculum vitae by email to: abrahamsd@parliament.uk 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Wednesday, July 1. 

You can read what past participants had to say about previous schools and view photographs here

A person specification can be found here

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