JustBeingCP

Since 2017 I have been involved in youth voice at local, regional and national level and this is something that I am passionate about. 

I believe that children and young people should be given every opportunity to speak out and then be heard about issues that matter them.

When I started my youth voice journey back in 2017 I wasn’t very sure what the words youth voice actually meant. 

My youth voice journey has now had the opportunity to develop meaning that I completely understand what youth voice is. 

I have absolutely loved being a part of youth voice as I believe that it gives young people the opportunity to be heard. 

I have sat on a number of youth panels both at local and national level and this has given me a great platform to be heard. 

I have been on youth panels within various sectors including health and sport and these are two areas that I am passionate about. 

I think that if we didn’t have a youth voice movement then children and young people would be excluded from giving their opinions. 

I also recognise that a lot of organisations are now creating youth panels as they believe that youth voice is the way forward. 

I echo that opinion as I have seen what impact the voice of children and young people can have on the way that any organisation is ran. 

When those youth panels have given their opinion to the organisation that they are connected to it is fantastic to see that the organisation will actually listen to them. 

I have also seen companies consult their youth panels on key decisions so that they can ensure the voice of children and young people is heard. 

I absolutely love listening to the views of other young people who sit on these panels as they are inspiring in a lot of cases. 

Over the years I have continued to be inspired by the young people who I have met on the various youth panels that I have either been a member of or chaired. 

Having the experience to chair both a local and national youth panel has been incredible opportunity as I have been able to develop as a young person and a leader. 

I have always enjoyed standing up for those children and young people who are currently not able to stand up for themselves. 

In my opinion all young people should speak out about issues that matter to them in any way that they possibly can. 

It is also very important that we find creative ways to support those young people who cannot speak out for themselves though the spoken voice. 

One of the ways that this could be done is via assisted technology and this way of communicating is being more commonly used by disabled young people. 

I will continue to shout from the roof tops on behalf of those young people who currently aren’t able to. 

I have been so impressed with the way that youth councils/panels have adapted the way that they operate during the coronavirus pandemic. 

All of the youth councils and panels that I am currently involved with moved to remote meetings when the pandemic started in 2020. 

I think this was an important move forward as it ensured all members were able to stay safe by following the national guidance and continue their youth voice activities. 

It has been challenge for me when planning meetings as there is only so much that you can do on a virtual platform. 

I have taken the bull by its horns when it comes to this challenge and I know that all my youth panels have enjoyed taking part in the virtual meetings. 

If it wasn’t for the youth panels that I am currently involved with then I believe that my mental health would have been a lot worse than what it currently is. 

Mental health is so important to consider during these uncertain times as there has been a lot of children and young people shielding due to medical conditions in the last year or so. 

I am aware that there has been a big focus on promoting mental health amongst children and young people recently and I see this as a positive step. 

I have an interest in mental health amongst children and young people because I believe it is very important that this group talk about this issue. 

If this group discuss this issue they may be able to help each other overcome their struggles and I think this is important to recognise.

It is well know that young people feel more comfortable in opening up to each other than they do to adults so I think this should be encouraged. 

I try to encourage all those on my youth panels to open up about their mental health by talking as I see this as a way of finding out how they are. 

I do totally understand that not everyone will feel comfortable about opening up about their mental health. 

There are some young people who feel confident about discussing their mental health struggles. 

Children and young people see it as a way to help each other if they open up about their own mental health battles. 

I also find that it is helpful to chuck yourself into things that you enjoy when you are struggling with your mental health. 

This is a method that I have adopted during the coronavirus pandemic and in my opinion it really does help as I have continued to engage with young people from across the country. 

As young leaders we have the power to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people who are growing up. 

I would encourage all young people to consider getting involved in youth voice as you will have the opportunity to make positive change for all.