Young people have the opportunity to play a defining role in the NSPCC’s mission to prevent child abuse, with the launch of a new group, the Young People’s Board for Change.
The Young People’s Board for Change has been launched to give young people the chance to shape and influence the work of the UK’s leading child protection charity – and is a vital part of the NSPCC’s commitment to ensuring they are right at the heart of its decision making.
Representing views of young people
The charity has recruited 15 young people aged between 13 and 16 to represent the views of children and young people and help to shape the work of the NSPCC across the UK.
Members are from across the UK and have a range of backgrounds, with many having active roles in their local communities and doing a range of work to help others.
They will use the platform to raise awareness of what matters most to young people, take action and make change happen – while also having a key role advising staff and trustees.
Impact of the pandemic
The pandemic has had a huge impact on young people, with the NSPCC’s Childline service carrying out more than 61,000 counselling sessions on mental health since the start of the first lockdown in March last year.
But as we look to the future, the NSPCC believes it is vital that their voices are represented. The charity is calling for the Government to put young people at the centre of its recovery plans – and as part of this, their views and experiences of the last year must be listened to.
Learning new skills
Board members will take part in new experiences and opportunities, meet other young people, as well as develop confidence and learn life-long new skills, such as campaigning and public speaking.
Over a two-year period, members will be involved in sharing what’s important to them, take part in residentials, meetings and workshops, and campaign to share their views and opinions.
Launching the Young People’s Board for Change
On Tuesday, March 30, they met virtually for the first time – and members say they are excited about getting started in their new roles.
They are also keen to talk about the impact of the last year and what needs to be done to support young people in the coming months.
Board member Elan, 16, said: “The past year has been tough for everyone, but for young people who have had to go from socialising every day with hundreds of students a day to being alone all day every day for months and then back to school again recently, it’s been an especially turbulent time, so I think the most important thing young people need coming out of the pandemic is understanding, patience and to be listened to.”
Making a difference
Recently, the NSPCC appointed Ife Grillo, 22, and Sheanna Patelmaster, 24, as trustees with a specialist focus on working with and supporting the Young People’s Board for Change. The recruitment of the board is the next stage of an important journey to better represent young people’s views and include them in the charity’s work.
Lucy Read, NSPCC associate head of participation, said: “The last year has changed the lives of many young people across the UK but, as we now look to the future, the new members of our Young People’s Board for Change have a great opportunity to make their voices heard.
“We received over 300 applications from young people to join the board and during recruitment, I was impressed by the genuine passion young people had for the NSPCC’s work and a commitment to get involved and make a difference.
“We believe that a generation of young people should not be defined by the pandemic, so it has never been more important to listen to them and embed their views into everything we do. Children are the experts on their own lives, and there is so much that we can learn from their experiences.”