Giving Commons speech ‘a surreal feeling’ for 14-year-old Cole

The 14-year-old was the youngest person to speak in the Commons at the UK Youth Parliament Summit last week.

‘It was such a surreal feeling,’ said Cole.

‘When it was my turn I looked up at the visitors gallery where my parents were and just took a deep breath, but once I started talking I felt more and more relaxed and said everything I wanted to.’

Cole and representatives from the Crown Dependencies spoke about wellbeing, with Cole’s speech focusing on the perils of social media and boredom. He researched the idea and used Guernsey-specific statistics.

Before entering the chamber Cole had breakfast in Westminster Hall, where he had the opportunity to meet the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

‘He was really nice and he is very fond of Guernsey,’ said Cole.

Cole’s parents were there along with a Youth Commission representative, and his mum Carly said that seeing him speak in front of the 300 other representatives and Sir Lindsay was a proud moment for her.

‘Hayley from the Youth Commission came with us and we were all in floods of tears when he finished because we were just so relieved it went how he wanted it to, and he got to say everything he wanted to,’ she said.

‘I’m so proud, he worked on it by himself and put so much work in. Nobody had put any words in his mouth, it was all him.’

Les Varendes High School, where Cole is a student, streamed the debate to all pupils, and Cole said he received nothing but positive comments from his peers when he returned to school on Friday.

‘Everyone was really nice, I had people I didn’t know coming up to me saying it was really good, which was nice,’ he said.

‘Mrs Tomlin [head teacher] has been such a big support.’

Cole Foad’s speech to the UK Youth Parliament

In Guernsey, we take pride in empowering our young people, giving them independence like riding a motorbike and responsibility through work from as early as 14.

Yet while we urge them to step into adulthood, we too often forget to give them a space to simply be young. They’re left juggling school work and expectations in a pressure cooker with no true outlet, turning instead to what I call ‘the screen escape’ – a world that promises relief, but too often only delivers stress and anxiety.

Mental health problems among five to 16-year-olds in the UK have risen by 50% since 2021 and the Royal Society for Public Health reports that anxiety and depression have increased by 70% in the past 25 years, of course, rising alongside the expansion of the internet and smartphones. Coincidence?

Here in Guernsey, we face the same reality. Our children and Adolescents Mental Health Service have seen a significant increase in demand, with 684 referrals in 2023, a number that sadly continues to grow.

Travel off-island offers new experiences, but the rising costs make it difficult for many families. A return flight to the UK alone cost about £180 per person, a major barrier amid the growing cost of living.

With 13 weeks of school holiday each year, we have time, but far fewer places to spend it. So I ask of you, Mr Speaker, what are our young people meant to do?

In reality many people turn to the screen escape, scrolling through perfect images that dictate who to be, how to act and how to live.

Constantly comparing themselves unknowingly erodes self-esteem, leaving too many feeling isolated.

While initiatives like our sports facilities, the Sailing Trust and the Youth Commission are valuable, we still lack truly inclusive and accessible spaces where young people can simply be. But this isn’t to discredit Guernsey, it’s to remind us that progress begins with reflection.

The fact that I can stand here in front of you today as a young voice in Parliament is proof that Guernsey believes in its youth.

So what’s our vision? When asked what they want for their island, many said we need social spaces, where we can relax, feel safe and have fun. And as our Youth Commission says, empowering youth and shaping futures enables young people to be inspired and prepared for the future they dream of.

So let’s listen.

Let’s give them more than a screen escape.

Let’s provide safe, supportive and engaging spaces where they can belong, unwind and flourish, because if we invest in their well being today, Mr Speaker, we strengthen Guernsey tomorrow.