Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams, welcomes summer school participants

Debbie welcoming the participants, who are aged between 18-24 years old, to her 8th Working for Your Community Summer School.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has welcomed participants to her 8th annual Working for my Community Summer School which, on the first day, included guest appearances by the new council leader Arooj Shah; shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves; and Oldham West and Royton MP, Jim McMahon.

Opening the summer school, which is being held online for the second year running due to Covid, Debbie told the participants: “For me politics is all about empowering communities and my vision for the summer school is that we nurture you; the next generation of community activists.”

One of the participants is Heather Price, from Saddleworth, explained why she wanted to take part in the summer school, saying: “My sister took part a few years ago and every year she’s told me I need to sign up because it’s such a brilliant experience.

“I want to go into a career in the area of human rights so I think the summer school is a great opportunity to learn everything I can.

"I’m particularly looking forward to the session with Francesco Motta, who is a commissioner for human rights and a former head of the UN mission in Iraq.”

Other guest speakers during the week include Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham; deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner MP; Green MP, Caroline Lucas; and rugby league legend, Kevin Sinfield.

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