The Youth Mayor for 2021-22 is Tia Henderson.
The Deputy Youth Mayor 2021-22 is Hamra Hanif-Ali
Tia is 18 and lives in Chadderton. She attended Saddleworth High School and Oldham College, where she studied Performing Arts. She now works full-time within the Civil Service.
Elected to the Youth Council in 2018, Tia has attended numerous events and has represented Oldham young people on various boards and panels, including being an active member of the corporate parenting panel and local safeguarding Children partnership.
During her time as chair of Oldham Youth Council, she has represented young people, locally, regionally, and nationally, including directly questioning/conversing with the Prime Minister regarding young people’s mental health, education, and achieving their potential.
Tia has also represented Oldham and Greater Manchester’s young people on a national level in her role as a National Voice Ambassador along with attending All-Party Parliamentary Groups at the House of Commons on two occasions, to advocate for Oldham's young people.
Tia currently holds many ambassador roles and responsibilities and is an active member of many different groups that represent young people including being a member of the Children in Care council. Tia will be the first Care Experienced young person to stand in this capacity as Youth Mayor of Oldham.
“It’s a great honour for me to be Oldham’s Youth Mayor as it means I am able to do what I love best, representing young people and creating positive change.”
“I am passionate and determined to ensure Oldham’s young people have their voices, not only heard but listened to and acted upon.”
“Over the course of the next year I hope to be able to advocate for young people and what they feel is important, whilst inviting them along on my journey as Youth Mayor.”
Role of the Youth Mayor
The role of the Youth Mayor is to represent the young people of Oldham in a formal and civic role.
They are an ambassador for the town and an inspirational role model for young people.
The Youth Mayor shadows the Mayor on Civic engagements and is also a key member of the Youth Council.