Urban Synergy, an award-winning youth empowerment and social mobility charity, is urging young people to register for the upcoming General Election before the deadline on June 18th.
The charity, known for its successful mentoring programs that have helped 27,000 young people gain access to education and employment, is encouraging its mentees to ensure they are registered to vote in the UK’s general election on July 4th.
According to Urban Synergy CEO and founder Leila Thomas, it is crucial for the next generation to participate in the democratic process. “What we do at Urban Synergy has proven to be beneficial for young people, businesses, and society as a whole,” Thomas stated. “It is important for young people to understand that democracy involves bureaucratic processes, and we do not want anyone to miss out on their opportunity to vote.”
The charity will be reaching out to all young people aged 18-24 this week to remind them to register to vote and to bring photo identification with them to the polling stations on July 4th. The rules surrounding identification are strict, and Urban Synergy is providing a full list of acceptable forms of identification.
Thomas also emphasized the importance of having a National Insurance (NI) number when registering to vote. “Registering is a quick process, but having your NI number on hand will make it even faster. If you do not have your NI number, you can still register, but it may take longer,” she explained.
Chantelle Barnett, who has been working for Urban Synergy for almost three years, shared her experience of voting for the first time in 1997. “I was eager to make my mark and fulfill my duty to society by exercising my voting rights,” she said. “To me, it was not just about patriotism, but about having a say in the future of our country.”
Safiya Chiapps-Forrester, the Mentoring Coordinator at Urban Synergy, also emphasized the importance of young people’s voices in the democratic process. “As a young person myself, I understand the frustration and cynicism that many of my peers feel towards politics,” Chiapps-Forrester stated. “However, it is important for us to remember that our turnout can influence political parties to align their policies with our interests.”
Urban Synergy is reminding all young people to register to vote before the deadline on June 18th and to bring proper identification to the polling stations on July 4th. The charity hopes to see more young people participating in the democratic process and making their voices heard.
