Where it all Began...

It began with an idea - why not use postcodes to allow young people to search for their local elected representatives, and why not put this onto a website so they can email them? In the summer of 2004, Public Achievement received a grant from the Peace II Programme (YESIP) to work with a team of young people to implement that idea. The idea was a youth led website project, with a database of local politicians, that would allow you to find your elected representatives through a post-code search, and then email them about issues that are important to you.

A diverse group of 10 young people (many of whom had little experience of websites or the internet) from across Northern Ireland were recruited in July 2004 to develop an interactive website run by and for young people aiming to inspire and empower young people in Northern Ireland, giving them a voice in the decisions that affect all our lives, trying to get young people talking and influencing politicians and public representatives.

WIMPS (Where Is My Public Servant) was the product of these young people’s ideas, hopes and aspirations. The initial site went live in November 2004 and was formally launched in February that year, by the late Nigel Williams, Commissioner for Children and Young People. The project then received funding from the Electoral Commission, and Delivery and Innovation Division in the Department of Finance and Personnel, as well as a small grant from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland. This allowed us to increase outreach, and to create the site you now see, using the latest in web technology. We hope you agree that what has been created is a website with a vision; to provide young people with easy and instant access to clear information that allows them to take action on issues that are important to them.