Stevenage’s new youth mayor says he is ready to get his hands dirty to reach out and engage young people.

Yvan Tiako is planning on using his role to support youth projects and improve the image of young people.

The 19-year-old told the Comet: “I am honoured to be elected youth mayor, it feels great to know the young people of Stevenage voted for me to represent them and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

“I want to do a good job and fulfil my promise to make people proud.

“I want to embrace the role and get my hands dirty. I hope that during my time as youth mayor I can help to raise the profile of young people.”

Yvan lives in Symonds Green and went to Marriotts School before moving to the Da Vinci Studio School for his A levels.

He is now taking a year out from study to work at the Co-operative store near his home as well as at Stevenage Leisure Centre while focusing on being mayor, and plans to go on to university.

Yvan feels one of the biggest issues facing young people is the negative image they have with some people and is planning on using social media to change this.

He said: “I feel the main challenges for young people are that they are stereotyped as negative. I want to spend my time as youth mayor promoting all the great things young people have to offer Stevenage.”

Yvan is also a spoken word poet and is keen to use his position to promote the art form.

He has a budget of £3,300 to spend on community projects and is urging young people who feel they have a worthy cause to get in touch.

To find out more about the youth mayor’s role call 01438 242242.