Small islands can spark change, young leader says

Zahara said the experience made her want to pursue a career in politics

"Jersey may be small, but small communities can spark extraordinary change."

They are the words of student Zahara, 17, who spoke in front of 300 people at the UK Youth Parliament on 6 November.

In her maiden speech, the Beaulieu Convent Catholic School student highlighted the need for improvements in mental health services in the island.

Reflecting on her experience participating in youth parliament, she told the BBC: "This has definitely solidified that I want to do politics in the future as I've seen how it can help people."

In her speech to the parliament, she said there were long waits for therapy, while neurodevelopmental assessments for ADHD and autism could take many months.

"In a close-knit community such as Jersey, these challenges are amplified by stigma," she said.

She ended her speech with a call to action, asking for more mental health professionals to be placed into schools.

"If we act now, if we listen to our young people, we can build a future where nobody feels invisible, unheard and unsupported," she said.

The Government of Jersey has previously said it was working on a new plan to help shape mental health services over the next five years.

'Very nervous'

Representatives from Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the British overseas territories were invited to speak at the annual gathering, hosted by the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Zahara said the experience had inspired her to pursue a career in politics.

She said: "I was very nervous and kind of panicking beforehand. But during the speech I calmed down a bit.

"I just pretended I was talking in front of my Mum."