The Children's Mayor
Zeyno Arabaci was announced as Southampton's 4th Children’s Mayor at the annual Mayor Making ceremony on Wednesday 14 May 2025.
The Children’s Mayor is an annual initiative where Year 5 children will have the opportunity to put together a project that aims to improve the lives of children in the city. The Children’s Mayor was created to help primary aged children understand the council’s democratic system and to create projects that can benefit their local community and beyond.
The winner is chosen by council officers, Southampton’s Youth Council and the Lord Mayor. The Children’s Mayor attends high profile events with the current Lord Mayor and is an ambassador for primary aged children. (Please note, that the Children’s Mayor is separate from the Lord Mayor’s office.)
Children’s Mayor’s Manifesto
In her manifesto, 10 year old Zeyno, a pupil at Highfield CE Primary School, outlined her desire to start a super skills network where children and adults share talents, learn and build confidence. Free workshops at schools and libraries will encourage adults to teach children new skills such as languages, baking, drawing, life skills and more. Children will also teach adults new skills such as gaming and sports. This two way system will build a super skills network throughout Southampton. Once a month during a skill swap day children and adults will exchange skills, for example – a parent could teach a child gardening while a child teaches them how to play Mario Kart!
Zeyno said:
"I am really excited that I am going to attend lots of events on the behalf of the children of Southampton. My project is the Super Skills Network where I want to bring people together and teach people new skills for free. I want to put boards in schools and libraries where people can identify what skills they would like to either learn or share. At the end of my year I want to hold a Super Skills Star Festival to celebrate all that we have achieved. I cannot wait to get started!"
Invite the Children’s Mayor to your engagement
Use the following form to invite the Children's Mayor to your event:
Before you start
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to complete the form.
As they attend school, the Children’s Mayor will not always be able to attend events during school hours.
Children’s Mayor diary summary of planned and attended visits
This diary is updated regularly and every effort is made to ensure all events are accurate and up to date. However, some events and dates may be changed at the last minute, therefore we apologise for any inconvenience caused in such cases.
2024
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 17 July | Children’s Mayor announcement at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour |
| Friday 26 July | Children’s Mayor attended Summer Play Day at Hoglands Park |
| Saturday 3 August | Community take over clothes swap at John Hansard Gallery |
| Sunday 4 August | Children’s Mayor opened St James’ Park Family Fun Day |
| Saturday 17 August | Children’s Mayor visited the Mayflower Theatre for the Summer Youth Project matinee performance of Bugsy Malone |
| Tuesday 27 August | Children’s Mayor attended Superstar Sports Gym event with Kristof Willerton at Regents Park Community College |
| Saturday 14 September | Library celebration event |
| Monday 16 September | Children’s Mayor attended plaque unveiling at Itchen College to commemorate the launch of the Family Safeguarding Model in Southampton |
| Wednesday 18 September | Children’s Mayor joined a litter pick with the Greening Ascension and the Community Environment at the Edge Hub in Townhill Park |
| Thursday 10 October | Children’s Mayor had the pleasure of sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington at the unveiling of the new statue. |
| Friday 11 October | The Lord Mayor visited the Children’s Mayor’s school for a celebration assembly |
| Thursday 31 October | Children’s Mayor unveiled a mosaic celebrating the Children and Young People Strategy at Tesltands Hub |
| Friday 8 November | Children’s Mayor took part in the Armed Forces Network at the University of Southampton NHS Foundation Trust remembrance service |
| Sunday 10 November | Children’s Mayor participated in Southampton’s Remembrance Service and Parade |
| Friday 15 November | Children’s Mayor donated a toy at Southampton’s annual Toy Appeal |
| Wednesday 20 November | Children’s Mayor will be participating in an event at the National Oceanography Centre entitled “Unfolding Our Shared Future”, held jointly in partnership with the US Embassy in London and the American Politics Group |
| Thursday 21 November | Children's Mayor attended the Young Carer's Award Ceremony |
| Saturday 21 December | Children's Mayor attended the Christmas Event at Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Testlands Hub |
| Monday 23 December | Children’s Mayor attended the Christmas Youth Production of The Wind in the Willows performance at MAST Mayflower Studios |
2025
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Saturday 4 January | Children’s Mayor attends Premier League Primary Stars Matchday Showcase at St Mary’s Stadium |
| Friday 17 January | Children’s Mayor held a clothes swap event at Fairisle Junior School |
| Thursday 13 March | Children's Mayor attended the Young Carer's Award Ceremony at the SeaCity Museum |
| Friday 4 April | Children’s Mayor attended the Launch event for Hidden in Stone featuring Project Extinction at God’s House Tower |
| Tuesday 22 April | Children’s Mayor attended the AGM for Community Playlink and the Toy Library at Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre |
Contact details
If you are a group or organisation needing information and guidance about inviting the Children's Mayor to events, please contact us.
Make an invitation using the form above.
This is only for the Children's Mayor only. You can also find out more about the Lord Mayor and Sheriff.
