Newly appointed Highland Youth Convener says her mission is to ensure young people in the region feel ‘confident and supported’
Leah McBain, from Lochinver, has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener.
Twenty-three-year-old Leah began in post at the end of August, after shadowing the outgoing youth convener, Lauren McKittrick from Inverness.
Leah, who was previously an assistant youth worker with Highland Council’s youth service, is the 17th young person appointed to the role.
She will provide a consistent link for elected members and senior officials, representing young people’s views and acting as a sounding board for the issues they face. She will also attend relevant council and community planning partner meetings.
The Highland Youth Convener is a full-time, 12-month bursary position. The post-holder works closely with young people across the region through the Highland Youth Parliament, area youth forums and secondary school pupil councils.
Leah says her mission is to ensure that the young people she works with feel confident and supported in pursuing their own opportunities.
Leah said: “I will strive to apply my knowledge to my local community wherever possible.Outside of work, I am dedicated to expanding my skillset by taking online courses, including psychology, disability awareness and currently, British Sign Language, which will help me to communicate more effectively with young people with additional needs.
“I am also a board member of my local historical society and, whenever possible, I engage young people with the rich landscape and history of our area, filling in gaps left by the school curriculum.
“Being offered the role of Highland youth convener is a privilege. I am honoured to provide a voice for one of the most underrepresented groups in Scotland.
“Young people are the future, and we must do more to support and uplift them.
“I would also like to thank my predecessor, Lauren McKittrick, for her outstanding contribution in this role, and I hope to build on the strong foundations she has set.”
Leah holds a degree in History and Criminology from the University of the Highlands and Islands and she is grateful to have had the opportunity to continue her studies in the Highlands.
As a young person with additional support needs, she also acknowledged the support she received from Ullapool-based youth development officer Yvonne Boa.
Leah said: “Like so many other villages around Ullapool, Lochinver has significantly fewer resources, especially for young people.
“Given my own experience of living in a rural area, I hope that young people who live in places where it takes an hour or more to get to school will feel represented.”
Cllr John Finlayson, the chairman of the education committee, welcomed the appointment, saying: “I am delighted along with my fellow members to welcome Leah to this key role.
“She will be an asset to our committees and we look forward to working with her during her time in the role.
“As the youth voice of Highland she will make a valued and important contribution to the council’s work.”
Cllr Bill Lobban, the convener, said: “The youth convener post plays a vital part in helping us to better understand and engage with the issues that affect our young people.
“I welcome Leah to the role and look forward to hearing all she has to offer. I wish her every success.”
Cllr Raymond Bremner, leader of the council, said: “The role of youth convener is so important to us because young people will shape the future of the Highlands.
“We need to heed and value their perspectives and aspirations, and ensure they are involved in decision-making.
“I am looking forward to working alongside Leah and welcome her to the new role.”