This week's column has been written by Tyler White from Archway School.

My interest in politics started in 2016 with the Brexit referendum.

Then last year I became involved in a schools debate organised by SDC and I found myself as a team leader.

So when it came to applying for work experience I applied to SDC and spent the week work shadowing leader Doina Cornell.

Monday: I started the week at a pre-council preparation meeting where some of the issues on the agenda at Thursday’s full council meeting were discussed. It was like being thrown into the deep end first thing on a Monday, but it was useful to have the preparation. Later I attended a Stroud District Youth Council meeting.

Tuesday: When I signed up to do work experience I wasn’t expecting it to include manual labour! However Doina was spending the morning with a team of volunteers working on the canal and so did I. We helped to clear the bank of overgrown vegetation. Doina explained that not long ago the stretch of canal bank I was weeding was a car park until the Heritage Lottery Fund donated money to help restore it. People don’t realise the importance the canal has for Stroud. It gives lots of people, including some people with disabilities, opportunities to volunteer and it promotes exercise. I was surprised at the number of people running, walking and dog walking while we were there.

Wednesday: I spent the day with the Democratic Services and Elections team. I saw how difficult it is to judge ballot papers when people don’t mark them properly by looking at some mock example ballot papers.

Thursday: I observed part of the full council meeting in the evening. It was faster paced than I’d realised it would be (good job I’d been to the preparation meeting on Monday).

So at the end of my week, how would I describe SDC? I’d say it’s the place that tries its best to hold Stroud together.