Leah Smyth

Autism Campaigner and Youth Outreach Officer

Speech at the Ulster Unionist Party Conference

#UUP17

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Good afternoon everyone,

For those of you who haven’t met me before, my name is Leah Smyth. I’m 25 years old, a mum of two beautiful little girls, the secretary of our Antrim branch and I have worked for our Party in the Antrim office.

After spending six years comfortably working in retail, I realised it was not what I wanted to do with my life. I had graduated with a politics degree and I became actively involved with our party in 2015 when I took the post as office manager for Adrian Cochrane-Watson.

Adrian saw potential in me that I didn’t see within myself and I’m so glad that he did. The job took me right out of my comfort zone but it ignited a passion within me that I didn’t know I had; a passion to help other people and to make a difference.

I quickly realised that the work I was doing in the constituency office was perfect for me. It turned me into a completely different person- someone far more confident and sure of her ability; someone who lived for helping others.

It wasn’t just my job that made me passionate about helping other people. When my eldest daughter was 2, she was diagnosed with severe autism and severe learning difficulties. From her diagnosis, we have had to fight for everything that she rightly deserves. Whether it’s been fighting to get her the right education, fighting for therapies or even fighting for nappies that fit her- I’ve done it all.

I soon found myself becoming a pillar of support for other parents who had children with additional needs, and local schools would tell parents to contact me for help and advice. Knowing that I have taken a lot of stress and pressure off a parent and made life so much better for a child makes me incredibly proud.

I am now actively involved in my local community as a youth outreach officer in Antrim working with ‘at risk’ young people. Again, it’s such a rewarding job and I love knowing that I’m making a positive impact on someone’s life.

Since becoming involved with the Ulster Unionist Party, my life has completely changed. Not just in terms of how I see myself but also making me realise what I really want to do with my life. I know that I want to continue helping others, being actively involved in the community and making a difference.

I have also met some incredible people and made friends that I know I’ll have for the rest of my life. We have some truly wonderful people in our party and I am absolutely delighted to be a part of it all.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding for your Party Leader, Mr Robin Swann MLA!