Mr Speaker keeps Oldham MP’s summer school participants in order

Debbie’s summer school participants with John Bercow - left to right - Eleonore, Caitlin, Jenna, Vicky, George, Aman, Aisling, Lisa, Tom, John, Archie, Zeshan, Debbie, Freya, Emily, Katie, Libby, Megan, Marzia.

Participants in Debbie Abrahams MP’s sixth annual Working for your community summer school have met the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, as part of their visit to Parliament.

One of the young people attending the summer school is Jenna Harrison from Holts. Jenna said: “It was an amazing day. We went to see Debbie in her office and had talks from other MPs like Mike Kane and Stephen Doughty who told us about how they got involved in politics. We also met Dan Bloom, the Mirror’s online political editor, who told us what work as a political lobby correspondent is like.

“But it was really great to meet John Bercow face to face. He was really welcoming and explained what his job is all about and told us some funny stories about his time as the Speaker.

“I think the summer school has helped us realise that politicians are just ordinary people like us and they were all really encouraging saying that anyone can do their job if you want to make a difference.

“It was such an exciting day that when I got home at 11pm I couldn’t stop telling my mum about all the things we did and all the people we met until she just said I had to stop talking and go to bed. Now I can’t wait for next week when I’m going to placed at Inspire Women Oldham to see what kind of work they do.”

Participants have spent the first week developing knowledge and understanding of community development work, campaigning skills and tools, with sessions being delivered by various experts and leaders in community development, campaigning, communications, sports and politics including Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham; rugby league legend, Kevin Sinfield; council leader, Sean Fielding; and deputy leader, Arooj Shah. Participants also has the met with the head of news and senior producers at the BBC 5 Live studios in Media City, Salford.

In the second week the participants will work on projects with Oldham-based community organisations and charities.

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