Leader of Oldham Council, Arooj Shah visited Oldham Sixth Form College to meet students and staff, and to discuss all things politics.
Councillor Shah was given a tour of the college’s creative spaces, where art, photography, fashion and design students had their final pieces on display for assessment.
She then sat down with a group of Year 12 and Year 13 students to hear about their ambitions and future plans, and to share her own journey into politics.
Councillor Shah said: "I never take a single minute of my role for granted. I feel so blessed to be in this position and carry a real sense of duty to make a difference in people’s lives.
“It was inspiring to meet students who genuinely care about their communities and want to understand how politics works.
“My message to them is simple. If you see something you don’t like, use your voice and get involved.
“Local government is where real change can happen and there’s no better reward than making a positive impact in your own community."
Councillor Shah also spoke to a Year 12 Politics class, where she was quizzed about life in local government and the role of a council leader.
Suzannah Reeves, Principal at Oldham Sixth Form College, added: "It was a real pleasure to welcome Councillor Arooj Shah to the college.
“She was engaging and honest about her experiences and our students really valued the chance to speak with someone who is making a difference in Oldham.
“Encouraging young people to take an active interest in politics is more important than ever, and Councillor Shah’s visit helped bring those conversations to life in an inspiring way."
The visit gave students a real insight into local politics and what it meant to represent a community.
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