Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens hosts ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative to inspire young women

Four pupils, Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College, accompanied by Mrs Anna McKay, and Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School, accompanied by Mrs Heather Dalzell, are pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Oliver McMullan, outside Cloonavin as part of the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day.

Four Co Antrim schoolgirls were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at civic leadership this week as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council marked International Women’s Day with a special ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative.

The programme saw four Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils step into the world of local government, shadowing the Mayor through a full day of engagements designed to showcase how decisions are made and how councils work with communities across the borough.

Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College, alongside Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School, took part in the initiative on Tuesday 3 March, joining the Mayor for a packed schedule across the borough.

The Mayor, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with pupils and teachers from Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle High School, St Mary’s High School, Limavady, and Limavady High School, during the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative at the Limavady Shared Education Campus marking International Women’s Day.

The pupils spent the day accompanying the Mayor to a series of events, gaining first-hand insight into the civic role and the wider workings of local government.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, said the initiative was created to encourage more young women to see leadership and public service as a future pathway.

“I was delighted to welcome aspiring future leaders to take part in our ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative as we celebrated International Women’s Day. This initiative was something I was very keen to introduce, and I was pleased to work with the schools to make it happen and give the pupils the opportunity to experience the civic role at first hand.

“I would like to thank Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School for taking part and supporting the initiative. The girls who joined us were a wonderful, well-mannered group and were a real credit to both their schools and their families.

The Mayor, Councillor Oliver McMullan, watches a woodwork demonstration alongside four pupils from Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School, together with pupils from St Mary’s High School, Limavady and Limavady High School, during the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative at the Limavady Shared Education Campus marking International Women’s Day.

“It was a valuable opportunity for them to see how local decisions are made and how Council works in partnership with communities, and I hope the day has inspired them to have confidence in their own leadership potential.

“As we mark International Women’s Day, it would be good to see initiatives like this continue in the years ahead, helping to inspire more young women to consider roles in civic life and public service.”

The day began at Cloonavin in Coleraine, where the pupils assisted the Mayor in opening a special International Women’s Day event for council staff.

From there, they travelled to Top Darts in Coleraine to attend the Good Relations Schools Darts Competition, where they met pupils from across the borough and saw the impact of cross-community initiatives aimed at bringing young people together.

Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College and Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School are pictured with the Mayor, Oliver McMullan, and the owner of Top Darts in Coleraine during the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day.

The programme continued with a visit to the Limavady Shared Education Campus, including St Mary’s and Limavady High School, where the group learned more about collaborative education and shared learning opportunities.

In the afternoon, the pupils returned to Cloonavin for a tour of the Council Chamber and lunch with civic representatives, offering further insight into council operations and democratic processes.

The day concluded in Ballycastle with a visit to the newly refurbished library, highlighting the council’s ongoing investment in welcoming and inclusive spaces that support learning, personal development and community connection.

Four pupils, Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College and Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School, are pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Oliver McMullan, during a visit to the newly refurbished library in Ballycastle as part of the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day.

A pupil from Ballycastle High School pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, during a visit to the newly refurbished library in Ballycastle as part of the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day.

The ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative forms part of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s programme to mark International Women’s Day, with a focus on encouraging young women to explore opportunities in civic leadership and public service.

By offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on the work of the Mayor and the wider council, the initiative aims to build confidence, broaden horizons and show that leadership roles are within reach for the next generation.

At a glance

• Four pupils from Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School took part in a ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative on 3 March.

• The programme marked International Women’s Day and aimed to inspire young women to consider civic leadership and public service.

• Pupils shadowed the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens throughout a day of official engagements across the borough.

• Activities included opening an International Women’s Day event at Cloonavin and attending a Good Relations Schools Darts Competition in Coleraine.

• The group also visited Limavady Shared Education Campus to learn about collaborative learning between schools.

• The day included a tour of the Council Chamber and lunch with civic representatives.

• The programme ended with a visit to the newly refurbished library in Ballycastle, highlighting council investment in community spaces.