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Shahenda Darwich from Alton College (pictured right), who took over as Radio 4 Any Questions? Chair from Jonathan Dimbleby:
"A lot of the time, I think that young people aren't taken very seriously and people don't think we are capable of getting involved in things like this. This opportunity will help improve our skills for the future and show them that we can hold our own." 

Presenter Jonathan Dimbleby:
"It was a friendly, but dangerous takeover. Shahenda did really well so I'm lucky I still have my job!"

Vicky, 15, from Poole Youth Forum took over Vicky Wales, Head of Poole Children and Young People's Integrated Services:
"It was a fantastic opportunity to see how children's services is run - I understand it all much better now... In the meeting about Age of Transfer I was asked if I wanted to input on how the adults communicated with young people on this topic - one that will affect thousands of young people in Poole in a few years' time. It was great to be able to feed directly to such important people."

Councillor Baroness Ritchie, Cabinet Member for Family and Children's Services, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:
"Hearing what our children have to say about the services we offer is very important and Takeover Day gives the children a real chance to get involved, ask questions and give their views."

Anthony Onyac, 15, from Sybil Elgar School, joined Deputy Mayor of Ealing, John Gallagher:
"I felt very happy and proud to be able to go out with the Deputy Mayor and shadow his work for a day ... I talked to Mr Gallagher about having more influential people in the community, like him, coming to visit Sybil Elgar School and about setting up more social activities between the mainstream schools in the area and our school. I also explained to him what it's like to live with autism and how it can affect different people in different ways."

Sophie, 11, who took over Eureka! The National Children's Museum in Halifax:
"It's been fun and exciting. Working with children has made me think there is more to life than sitting on the sofa and watching TV. Being in the meeting was strange because we were talking to very important people and they wanted our ideas for new things to put in the museum".

Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West:
"I really enjoyed having Aaron with me for the day ... Takeover Day is a great chance for young people to get involved in democracy and big organisations, and I thank the Children's Commissioner for running it - though I'm not sure I expected to be handing over the reins just a few months after being elected in May!"

Feedback

Your feedback is incredibly important to us, so do please take the time to send us your comments using our Takeover Day feedback form. A children's feedback form can be downloaded here. Your views will help us improve the guidance we provide, and inspire even more people to be part of Takeover Day 2011.

Photo credit: Jason Allen.