Friday, 1 July 2022 07:52

Oldham's 13th Youth Mayor, Hamra Hanif-Ali, has been officially sworn into office.

It happened at a ceremony at Oldham Council Chambers on Wednesday (29 June).

Hamra was elected to the Youth Council in 2018 and has represented Oldham’s young people locally, regionally, and nationally, including being a Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority Representative and avid supporter of Votes at 16.

She’s also represented young people locally running campaigns around knife crime and mental health.

Regionally, she was a POSH (Pioneer of Sustainable Hope) Ambassador, tackling issues around the environment and global warming, working with other Youth Councils, and sitting on the Cross-Party Climate Change Group.

Nationally, Hamra has travelled to Westminster in support of the Votes at 16 private members bill and attended several All Party Parliamentary Group meetings to make sure Oldham had a voice.

She said at the event: “I am excited and honoured to become the 13th Youth Mayor of Oldham and hope to do the role justice, as those who have gone before me have. I look forward to representing all of Oldham’s young people and I am dedicated to meeting as many of them as I can over the coming 12 months.

“Oldham is a town to be proud of and leading the way in many areas. I see my role as making sure that the young people I meet along the way feel involved, and confident they can shape their own futures.”

Councillor Eddie Moores, Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It’s great to see Hamra engaged in her community and already working hard to make a difference. Now is a more important time than ever for Oldham’s young people so it’s vital their voices are heard.

“Hamra has a fantastic track record when it comes to representing Oldham so I have no doubt she’s going to be an excellent Youth Mayor and I look forward to working more with her.”