Lucy Frazer MP hosts workshop for local schools with charity Debate Mate
Pupils from secondary schools in South East Cambridgeshire have the opportunity to take part in a debating competition in Cambridge Union on Friday 16th September, organised by Lucy Frazer MP, Member of Parliament for South East Cambridgeshire, and run by the charity Debate Mate.
Debate Mate was founded in 2007 in order to combat the problems of social immobility and a lack of employable skills amongst young people in the UK. To address this, Debate Mate established a formal debating programme, employing a peer-to-peer mentoring model. Debate Mate was also the subject of an 8-part TV series on Sky 1 in 2015, Kings & Queens of Speech, which followed the journeys of students from six schools as mentors challenged them to speak confidently and develop life-changing communication skills.
The event on Friday 16th September will enable four students from each of the participating local secondary schools to learn public speaking skills and improve their confidence.
Ms Frazer said: “Debating is such an important skill for young people to have. It can give shy students confidence, and encourages them to get involved in current affairs. By improving their debating skills and exposing students to positive role models, Debate Mate do great work in promoting aspiration and social mobility, especially for disadvantaged students. I’m very much looking forward to the day and I am grateful to Marshall Aerospace for sponsoring the workshop.”
Notes to Editors: Please do get in touch if you would like to attend the competition.
Contact: Roxy Lackschewitz-Martin, lackschewitzmartinr@parliament.uk or 0207 7219 5082