THE voice of a town’s youth has not only been heard but it has been awarded for its work.

Slough Youth Parliament (SYP) representatives were invited to a prestigious reception at the Speaker’s House in the Houses of Parliament to collect an award marking the impressive turn out in 2015’s Make Your Mark ballot, on Wednesday last week.

With a 55 per cent turnout in 2015’s ballot compared to the previous six per cent 6% it is the most improved local authority in the country.

SYP also launched the national campaign ‘Don’t Hate, Educate!’ with the backing of The Rt Hon Fiona Mactaggart, Slough’s MP, at St Martin’s Place, in Bath Road, on Friday last week.

The campaign is aimed at tackling racism and religious discrimination particularly against people who are Muslim or Jewish.

Faheem Anwar, 13, deputy member of SYP who collected the award from Rob Wilson, minister for civil society, said: “It felt great to know the first year it’s been created it’s already achieved so much. It’s a real triumph for us and what young people can achieve when they put their minds to it.”

He explained that despite plans to pursue a career in medicine he sees his involvement with politics as a chance to ‘give something back to the community’ and that the award has provided an opportunity to increase publicity for SYP.

Make Your Mark is the largest youth consultation in the UK and last autumn young people were asked to choose from ten topics they considered important including funding for youth services, votes at 16 years and tackling racism.

The ballot was promoted by Slough Youth Parliament in schools and community groups resulting in more than 6,000 young people participating locally.

The results were debated by the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons and shared with Slough Borough Council and the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board.