As we mark the publication of our 2023/24 Impact Report, we’re taking a deep dive into each area of our work. First up, find out how we’re giving young people and adults a voice in the design of our services.
At Career Connect, youth participation is key to the design of our young people’s services. We know that involving young people means our services are more likely to be aligned with their needs and interests, making programmes more engaging and successful.
It also helps us ensure that we are responsive to the barriers that some young people face.
We aim to create a sense of ownership and empowerment, enhancing young people’s self-esteem and encouraging civic engagement.
Our Youth Ambassadors
In 2023/24, we were joined by six new Youth Ambassadors.
They do a fantastic job of keeping us focused on the issues and support needs that are important to young people. They help us develop our processes, programmes and campaigns, to suit the young people that we serve.
This year they have:
- Participated in discussions about the future of Career Connect; providing input into the development of our new strategy for 2025-30, speaking to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operational Officer.
- Helped to further develop our new youth brand, to ensure it is engaging and clear.
- Helped us create a participant-focused specification for our charity’s new website, emphasising accessibility and engagement.
- Recommended effective ways to communicate and engage with young people.
Youth Ambassador Tate
“It helps me gain more experience and talk to people who are of a different or similar background to me. Our youth ambassadors are all from different walks of life.” Tate
Youth Voice Champions
Our new staff network is made up of practitioners from across our charity.
The network:
- Shares and discusses insights gained from young people’s participation in services, feedback sessions and client surveys
- Shares information on best practice in youth engagement.
- Develops participation projects, involving young people in aspects of service co-design.
This year, the network undertook training with Youth Voice specialists Participation People, where they explored topics such as creating safe spaces, the best ways to gather feedback and more.
Participation People workshop
Lundy Model of Participation
The Lundy Model of Participation underpins all of our Youth Voice work. It:
- Provides a framework that supports meaningful youth participation by emphasising four key elements: space, voice, audience, and influence.
- Ensures that young people have the space to express their views, are given opportunities to articulate those views, that their opinions are actively listened to, and that they have a genuine impact on decision-making processes.
- Helps create an environment where young people are not only heard but are integral to shaping the services that affect them.
This ensures that young people’s participation is both meaningful and impactful.
