‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative inspires County Derry students

To celebrate International Women’s Day, four local students stepped into the world of civic leadership this week as part of the Mayor for a Day initiative. The Year 12 and 13 pupils shadowed the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens through a busy programme of engagements across the borough, including key stops in Limavady. The project 

Students Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College, along with Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School participated in the initiative aimed to inspire young women by highlighting pathways into public service and leadership, while celebrating the contribution of women and girls within our communities.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “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.

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"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. They then attended the Good Relations Schools Darts Competition at Top Darts in Coleraine, meeting pupils from across the Borough and seeing the positive impact of cross-community initiatives in action.

Following this, the group visited the Limavady Shared Education Campus, including St Mary’s and Limavady High School, to learn 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 business and democratic processes.

The programme concluded with a visit to the newly refurbished library in Ballycastle, highlighting Council’s ongoing investment in welcoming, inclusive spaces that support learning, growth and community connection. It provided a meaningful end to a day focused on participation, possibility and seeing leadership in action.

The ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative formed part of Causeway Coast and Glen’s Borough Council’s programme to mark International Women’s Day, with a clear focus on inspiring and encouraging young women to consider roles in civic life and public service.

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.

By offering a behind-the-scenes insight into the work of the Mayor and the wider Council, the initiative aimed to build confidence, broaden horizons and demonstrate that leadership is both accessible and achievable - ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are empowered to step forward with confidence and shape the future of Causeway Coast and Glens.