Shining a spotlight on local pubs was one of three political campaign ideas floated by young people in West Berkshire on a politics bootcamp with MP Olivia Bailey.
Nineteen young people aged 18 to 24 have spent a week gaining a behind-the-scenes insight into public service, politics and campaigning as part of the Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP’s Summer School.
Drink Local RWMB saw local students in the campaign encouraging residents across Tilehurst and the surrounding area to support their local pubs.
The campaign aims to increase attendance at local pubs while raising awareness of the vital role they play in community life.
A student involved in the campaign said: “Local pubs are the heart of our communities.
“They are welcoming and accessible places where generations come together, conversations start, and lasting relationships are built.
“We hope this campaign encourages more people to visit and support these valued local businesses, as when they support their
pub, they are also supporting the people and connections that make their community special.”
As part of the campaign, students have been engaging directly with residents across Tilehurst and the surrounding area, speaking with landlords, bar staff and regular customers to understand what makes these venues such important parts of local life.
They have also created an Instagram account (@drinklocal_rwmb) to raise awareness of these local pubs, share information about events and activities, and encourage residents to engage with the spaces available in their local area.
The campaign highlights that supporting local pubs is not only about preserving businesses, but also about protecting the shared spaces where friendships are formed, communities are strengthened, and local connections can continue to grow.
Simply Politics was one of the other campaigns, aimed at inspiring more young people across the constituency to learn about politics and become engaged in the democratic process.
And Ready 2 Register encouraged local residents to register to vote and ensure their voices are heard at the ballot box.
The Ready to Register team spoke to members of the public about their voting habits and barriers to voting.
They found that many young people feel disenfranchised, while older residents are calling on younger generations to turn up at polling stations.
The campaign included street surveys on attitudes to voting. Key findings from the street surveys showed that 40 per cent of respondents had not voted, with lower participation in local elections than in general elections.
The main reasons cited were that information was not accessible or simplified, and that confidence in government had fallen.
Summer School participant Lara, 21, said: “Olivia Bailey’s Summer School was an incredibly engaging and exciting experience.
“I loved hearing from a range of inspiring speakers, meeting Larry the Cat on Downing Street, and working with my group to create our own campaign.
“Olivia and her team were super supportive throughout and it was a fantastic opportunity to learn and gain a real insight into political life.”
The Summer School began with a day in the constituency, where participants met police officers, a local councillor, and members of Ms Bailey’s constituency team to learn more about the different roles they play in supporting local residents.
They heard first-hand about careers in public service and the importance of community leadership. On Tuesday, the group travelled to Parliament for a full day exploring Westminster.
Participants heard from figures working in politics and the media, gaining an insight into life at the heart of British democracy.
The visit also included a memorable stop at 10 Downing Street, where the group had the opportunity to take photographs outside the famous black door and even meet the Government’s Chief Mouser, Larry the Cat.
The second half of the week has seen participants put their learning into practice by designing and running their own public campaigns on issues they care about.
Speaking about the Summer School, Ms Bailey MP said: “It has been a real pleasure to spend this week with such an inspiring group of young people from across our constituency.
“Their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to making a difference has been fantastic to see.
“It’s so important that young people have opportunities to get involved in their local communities and understand how decisions are made, whether that’s here in the constituency or in Parliament.
“I’ve loved seeing the participants grow in confidence, develop their own ideas and work together on campaigns that will make a real impact.
“The future of our communities depends on engaged, informed and passionate young people, and this week’s Summer School has shown that Reading West and Mid Berkshire has an incredibly bright future ahead.”
Summer School participant Tommy, 23, said: “The Olivia Bailey MP Summer School has been an incredibly valuable experience.
“It helped me develop my public speaking skills by taking part in a debate during our visit to Parliament.
“I also enjoyed working with others to create a campaign, which strengthened my teamwork and communication skills.
“Thank you to Olivia and the whole team for giving us such a fantastic insight into the world of politics and for inspiring and empowering young people by increasing our awareness of the opportunities available to us.”
Summer School participant Isaac, 19, said: “My experience has been really insightful and informative.
“I’ve enjoyed every single aspect especially the opportunity to visit parliament and hear talks from different people during our sessions this week. I am so grateful and privileged for the opportunity.”
Summer School participant Ellie, 18, said: “This experience has honestly made me even more excited about my future in politics.
“Getting to see Parliament up close, meet people working in politics and have conversations about issues that actually affect young people made everything feel so much more real and achievable.
“One of my favourite parts was meeting other young people who care just as much about making a difference.
“I’ve left feeling much more confident in my own voice and even more determined to get involved and hopefully make a difference myself one day.”
