Grand Finale for Children’s Champions

Jessica Timperley

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After two years in office, Rochdale’s Junior Children’s Champion, Sana Kiran Khan and Deputy Children’s Champion, Jessica Timperley, have performed their final duties before they hand over to their successors next week.

Sana, 13, from Castleton, a pupil at Oulder Hill High School, and Beech House student Jessica, 13, from Wardle, joined VIPs at the Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch On which proved to be an exciting finale to their time representing the children of the borough on 19 November.

As the borough’s first Children’s Champions their roles have been to lead Rochdale Children’s Council in highlight the views of local children and taking action to help improve their lives.

Over the last two years, Sana and Jessica have attended and led meetings and training days as well as organising events and raising awareness about children’s rights. Highlights have included:

• Attending the ‘Informed and Influential Day’ with the Children’s Rights Alliance in London and later running a similar event locally for the children of Rochdale
• Taking over the post of the Sure Start Team Leader, Sandra Bowness, as part of the national ’11 Million Takeover Day’ which encourages organisations across England to open their doors to children and young people so that they can see for themselves the processes behind the decisions which affect their daily lives
• Giving presentations in school assemblies
• Attending a children’s rights conference in Geneva (Jessica)
• Opening National Play Day and being interviewed for Channel M Television about it (Jessica)
• Getting involved in the Big Listen Event which is the annual opportunity for Rochdale children and young people to have their say on things that matter to them

Sana said: “Being Rochdale’s first Children’s Champion was an honour. It is one of my biggest achievements in life so far and I have thoroughly enjoyed every event I have been to. I have had the chance to meet many important people who help me make changes within the borough.”

Jessica added: “Being a Children’s Champion has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have learnt so much about children’s rights but I have learnt even more about myself and about how I can do anything I want with confidence and the help and support of those around me.”

The search for Rochdale’s next Children’s Champion and Deputy Children’s Champion is almost over. During the last few weeks 9,000 children and young people from 55 of the borough’s schools have been casting their votes in election-style ballots. The winners will be announced on Friday, (November 27) at the Norton Grange Hotel, Castleton, during the final event of this year’s Big Listen.

The Junior Children’s Champions initiative is run by Rochdale Council’s Children’s Empowerment Project which is part of Sure Start. Manager Claire Hilton said: “Children across the borough have been participating enthusiastically in the elections. We are confident that we will find worthy successors to Sana and Jessica who have both been fantastic role models and advocates for the children of Rochdale.”