Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently hosted Cllr Jo McPherson the development manager of the South Essex Youth Volunteers (Vinvolved) and nine of her volunteers on a visit to the Houses of Parliament, to hear about the good work they are doing in the South Essex area.
Mark presented certificates to all of the nine young people who had volunteered to take part in a number of activities such as helping the Fire Service, raising awareness of Mental Health, assisting in mentoring victims of crime and even arranging a fashion show for charity. After the meeting Mark then escorted the local group of young people on a tour of the Houses of Parliament, including a visit to the chamber of the House of Commons, where he explained the workings of the political system and how debates take place at Westminster.
Speaking about the volunteers’ visit to Westminster, Mark Francois said:
""It was a great pleasure to meet with the South Essex Youth Volunteers of the Vinvolved team. They appeared to be a highly motivated group of young men and women who have done a lot of good work in our local community. I was glad to be able to show some appreciation of their efforts by showing them and Cllr Jo McPherson around.
Some people like to give youngsters a bad name, but as this group highlights there are many motivated and community spirited young people in South Essex, who are doing a lot to help improve our collective quality of like and we should value what they do.""