Students get rare insight on politics

STUDENTS pictured at the start of summer school with Aaroosa Khan (18) in the foreground with Debbie Abrahams MP

A GROUP of young people from Oldham are getting a rare behind-the-scenes look at politics.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has welcomed the new group of participants to her third annual Working for your Community summer school.

They are now embarking on the two-week programme developing their community action skills and gaining useful work experience with local organisations in Oldham.

Commenting on her initiative, which runs from July 18-29, the Labour MP said: "As well as building their community action skills and gaining useful work experience I'm really keen to give local young people a behind-the-scenes look at how politics works and affects everyone's daily life.

"The group will visit me in Parliament this week as part of their experience where they'll have a tour and meet various politicians, researchers and advisers and hear for themselves what it's like to work in politics."

The young summer school participants will be based in Oldham for their first week developing knowledge and understanding of community development theory and practice, campaigning skills and tools. They will work to define a campaign and a community project to work on in week two.

Week two will be spent working with Oldham-based community organisations and charities to develop and refine a campaign.

Sessions will be delivered by various experts and leaders in community development, campaigning, communications, sport and politics.