New members elected to lead Ceredigion Youth Council 2025-26
On 17 October 2025, Ceredigion Youth Council elected a new Chair, Vice-Chair and Member of UK Youth Parliament to represent Ceredigion in 2025-26.
Freya Pritchard, a Year 12 pupil at Ysgol Penglais, was successfully appointed as Ceredigion Youth Council Chair who will lead the Youth Council in 2025-26, with Hannah Bowhay, Year 12 pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron elected as Vice Chair 2025-26. Gwilym Morus, year 12 pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig was elected as Ceredigion’s UK Youth Parliament Member for 2025-26 and will represent Ceredigion at the UKYP. Kiani Francis, a pupil at Ysgol Penglais and member of Ceredigion Youth Council continues to represent Ceredigion in her role as Member of Youth Parliament for Ceredigion in the Welsh Youth Parliament 2024-26.
Freya takes over from last year’s Youth Council Chair, Bronwen Tuson from Ysgol Penglais, whilst coming to the end of their term as Ceredigion’s MYP for 2024-25 is Lleucu Nest, Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig.
Freya, Hannah and Gwilym, have already started in their new roles, and supported by ongoing member Kiani Francis, will undertake various activities both locally and nationally during the year. All members recently took part in a Q+A session with MS Elin Jones, Llywydd of Senedd Cymru in Cardiff and have met with Ben Lake MP; Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council; Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills; Lowri Edwards, Corporate Lead Officer for Democratic Services; Greg Jones, Corporate Lead Officer for Porth Cymorth Cynnar and Elen James, Chief Education Officer for Ceredigion County Council to discuss current issues and priorities.
Gwion Bowen, Senior Children and Young People’s Participation Officer, said: “I would like to congratulate Freya, Hannah and Gwilym on their recent appointments as part of the Ceredigion Youth Council programme, and we are pleased to have Kiani continue in her role as Ceredigion’s MYP in the Senedd Cymru Youth Parliament programme. There are exciting opportunities ahead this year, and we look forward to working with both members who are already making a positive contribution to democratic processes when it comes to young people in Ceredigion. We wish them the best of luck for the forthcoming year. I would also like to extend our gratitude to Bronwen and Lleucu who have both worked tirelessly to campaign and champion the voices of Ceredigion’s young people during their time in office last year. They have made a lasting impact, and we wish them well for the future, and thank them for all their hard work.”
Freya Pritchard, newly elected Ceredigion Youth Council Chair, said: “I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to represent the voice of Ceredigion’s young people as Chairperson of Ceredigion Youth Council in 2025-26. I am enthusiastic about identifying and trying to tackle issues facing young people, and I am eager to work with my fellow Youth Council members to improve our local area, not only for young people but for everyone. I am particularly excited to work on building a bright future for Ceredigion and to ensure that young people have a chance to express their views and become more politically engaged.”
Lleucu Nest, former Ceredigion UK MYP, said: “It has been a privilege to represent the young people of Ceredigion as their UK MYP for 2024-25. My role, along with Bronwen and Kiani, has largely involved championing issues which are important to young people at a local and national level, with key policy makers and those in responsible for key decisions. It’s vitally important that young people are given a platform to raise their voice and opportunities to take part in the political process, and this was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the work of MPs and UK government.”
Welcoming the new members, Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said: “Congratulations to the newly elected members. I would like to wish them well for the coming year and I look forward to working together and hearing their voices about issues that are important to the young people of the county. I would also like to extend my gratitude to those members coming to the end of their term in their elected roles, for the invaluable contribution they have made to young people’s rights over the past year.”
27/02/2026