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Sally Coughtrey, parliamentary intern (Part 2)
Sally Coughtrey, one of four young Crohn's & Colitis UK members who were successfully placed in our parliamentary internship programme, continues to blog about the 12-week placement...
"Approaching the Christmas period the Welsh assembly is finally beginning to quieten down, it is fair to say I've had a really busy term over the past few months here in the Welsh Liberal Democrats office and am looking forward to a few days off over Christmas.
A lot has been happening recently, Kirsty Williams' Safe Nurses Bill was introduced to the assembly on 3rd December and I have been able to assist with that, recently updating their website with news updates and also helping with the main Welsh Lib Dem website, which has broadened my knowledge when it comes to the media platform the party has.
I have also been sending freedom of information requests to various bodies to collect and collate new data for press releases in 2015 which I think is really exciting as I will see some of my own research in the news!
In the new year I will also be delivering a presentation to my colleagues about living with Crohn's Disease, in the hope to widen everyone's knowledge about the condition, and to share information about symptoms, side effects and what exactly happens to your digestive system.
I only have one month left working in the assembly, I'm surprised at how quickly its going and will be sad when it comes to an end but I'm looking forward to what my last weeks will bring."
Crohn's & Colitis UK's internship programme, supported by an educational grant from Abbvie, has been successful in giving four young members of the charity an insight into the workings of politics.
The programme aims to increase understanding of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), raise participants' self-esteem and confidence and demonstrate the realities of living and working with IBD to decision makers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Successful previous applicants, like Sally, have been given the opportunity to support a politician's work at constituency and national level, gaining new skills and vital work experience.
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