The Youth Advisory Board is an integral part of our governance and decision making processes, ensuring we are held accountable and continue to listen to the voices of the young people we exist to serve as a youth organisation.

Made up of young people who both have and have not taken part in an NCS experience, our members will use their own personal experiences and passions to amplify the priorities for and advocate for young people today, ensuring that all work undertaken aligns with our mission statement and organisational values. They will also gain valuable experience working with an organisation, getting their voices heard, and levelling up their life, and work, related skills.

As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, you’ll be in a paid position, and will be expected to commit to a twelve month contract, giving, at minimum, two hours a month of your time, paid up to 10 hours per month. You may wish to volunteer more time on projects or events should you wish, and travel expenses will be covered to events.

You’ll ensure the youth voice strategy and approach is always current and in line with the priorities of young people - engaging with wider young person networks and collaborating with other members of the Youth Advisory Board. 

You’ll attend and contribute to monthly meetings, open discussions, and quarterly away days. You’ll work alongside an NCS Trust mentor, gain experience from different areas of NCS Trust, and contribute to a committee working group to help steer discussions and influence decision making.

You’ll also receive bespoke training, development days and workshops, networking opportunities with external stakeholders, access to other sector roles and opportunities, professional and personal references…and so much more!

There are no essential requirements to become a Youth Advisory Board Member, however, we’re looking for young people who have one or more of these qualities:

• Are passionate about getting the voices of young people heard and are a positive advocate for others
• Have an interest and/or experience in the three key areas of NCS’ services: community and grantmaking, residential, digital
• Sit on a youth board, youth council, forum or steering group
• Are engaged in school or university student groups and networks 
• Are in education, employment, or training and want to influence access for young people
• Have experiences relating to key challenges and topics young people continue to face

The following timeline shows the various stages of the application process. Make sure you are available for the timings before applying: 

Stage One:
Initial applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on 3 March 2023.

Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Stage Two: 
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a thirty minute, virtual interview between Monday 6 March and Friday 17 March 2023.

If shortlisted you must be able to attend an interview between these dates - deadlines cannot be extended unless in exceptional circumstances.

Stage Three:
You may then be required to attend a second stage, group interview between Monday 20 March and Friday 24 March 2023.

Stage Four:
If successful, you will be invited to attend a two day training event which will take place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April 2023. 

You must be available for this training. We cannot consider an application from you if you are unable to attend.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to access any stages of the application process please email us at youthvoice@ncstrust.org.uk. A member of the youth voice team will be more than happy to discuss this with you in more detail.